During an international event attended by 68 parliamentary delegations and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Pope Leo addressed the escalating challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking to a diverse assembly of global political figures, the pontiff emphasized AI’s profound societal impact, particularly on younger generations. He urged that AI be developed and used in ways that serve humanity without diminishing or replacing human beings. Pope Leo warned that while AI demonstrates impressive capabilities, its "static memory" cannot compare to the human brain’s creativity and emotional connection, underscoring the irreplaceable nature of human consciousness and the need to preserve healthy, fair societal values and relationships. Prime Minister Meloni echoed these concerns, affirming Italy’s commitment to human-centered and ethically governed AI development at national and global levels. She stressed the importance of balancing technological innovation with moral responsibility to ensure AI respects human dignity and promotes social well-being. Held as part of the Roman Catholic Jubilee celebrations, the event provided a platform for faith leaders and policymakers to discuss contemporary ethical issues. Within this context, Pope Leo expressed worries about AI’s potential to disrupt employment, cautioning that automation might displace jobs and livelihoods. He called on journalists and media professionals to use AI tools responsibly, exercising ethical judgment in information dissemination and content creation. Since his election as pope in May, Pope Leo has consistently prioritized AI in his public discourse, advocating AI development aligned with human welfare and moral values.

By spotlighting these concerns internationally, he seeks to build a global consensus on harnessing AI in ways that respect human rights and promote the common good. The pope’s intervention reflects growing global concern about AI’s rapid advancement and far-reaching effects. As AI integrates more deeply into daily life, ethical debates intensify. The joint emphasis from Pope Leo and Prime Minister Meloni on human-centered, ethically governed AI highlights a rising call for collaboration among governments, religious institutions, technologists, and civil society to address these challenges together. The dialogue at the event underscores AI’s dual nature: offering vast potential for innovation, economic growth, and problem-solving, while raising complex issues around employment, privacy, bias, and social cohesion. Pope Leo’s perspectives emphasize maintaining a human-centered technological approach to ensure progress does not compromise fundamental human values. Looking forward, the pontiff’s focus on AI and ethics is expected to stimulate ongoing discussions within the Vatican and beyond, encouraging the development of guidelines promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in AI systems. The collaboration between spiritual leaders and policymakers demonstrated at the event exemplifies a multidisciplinary effort to shape the future technological landscape responsibly. In summary, Pope Leo’s address serves as a powerful call to carefully consider AI’s broad societal implications. By advocating a balanced approach that values human creativity, emotional connection, and ethical governance, he contributes a crucial voice to the global dialogue on AI’s role in shaping humanity’s future.