VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV, in his first major address since election, outlined the vision of his papacy Saturday, emphasizing artificial intelligence (AI) as one of humanity's most pressing issues and pledging to uphold key priorities of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Making his initial public appearance since becoming pope, Leo visited the Madonna sanctuary south of Rome, significant to his Augustinian order and his namesake, Pope Leo XIII. At Genazzano’s Madre del Buon Consiglio sanctuary—a pilgrimage site since the 15th century and elevated to minor basilica by Leo XIII—he prayed, blessed townspeople, and acknowledged their gift and responsibility in hosting the Madonna. Earlier, Leo conducted his first formal audience with the cardinals who elected him, reiterating commitments to Pope Francis’ 2013 mission statement aimed at making the Catholic Church more inclusive, attentive to the faithful, and caring for “the least and rejected. ” As the first American pope, Leo affirmed his full support for the Second Vatican Council reforms, which modernized the Church, and identified AI as a critical challenge threatening human dignity, justice, and labor. Leo linked AI concerns to his chosen name, honoring Leo XIII (pontiff from 1878 to 1903), who pioneered Catholic social teaching with the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, addressing workers’ rights during the industrial revolution and critiquing laissez-faire capitalism and socialism. Drawing a parallel, Leo stated, “In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching” in response to a new industrial revolution fueled by AI, which poses fresh challenges to justice and human dignity. Pope Francis, toward the end of his tenure, increasingly highlighted AI’s risks, advocating an international treaty to regulate it. He warned that indiscriminate AI use could reduce human relations to algorithms and insisted at the 2023 G7 summit that AI remain human-centric, especially concerning decisions on weapons use. Francis also called in his 2024 peace message for AI development guided by human values like compassion, mercy, morality, and forgiveness, cautioning against unchecked progress. Francis regarded Chicago-born Augustinian Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, as a successor. Prevost’s rise included leading a small Peruvian diocese in 2014, heading Peru’s bishops’ conference, and then overseeing one of the Vatican’s key offices vetting bishop nominations from 2023. The Vatican confirmed Leo will keep his bishopric motto and coat of arms from Chiclayo, Peru: “In Illo uno unum, ” a phrase from St.

Augustine underscoring Christian unity in Christ. Delivering his address in Italian at the Vatican’s synod hall rather than the Apostolic Palace, Leo frequently referenced Francis and the mourning following his death. He held up Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel” mission statement as his guide, underscoring the church’s missionary nature, the importance of collegial leadership, and attentiveness to the faithful, especially through popular piety. He reiterated Francis' call for the church to show loving care for the marginalized and to embrace courageous dialogue with modern society. Leo received a standing ovation while reading from prepared remarks, showing comfort in off-the-cuff speech only during brief Spanish remarks. Elected on Thursday as the 267th pope on the fourth conclave ballot, his speedy election was notable given the conclave’s record geographic diversity and size, with 133 cardinals from 70 countries. Though Prevost did not make major speeches pre-conclave and overcame the traditional hesitation toward an American pope due to the U. S. 's superpower status, he made a strong impression in smaller, English-speaking groups. Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana revealed Prevost received over 100 votes on the final ballot, well above the two-thirds requirement. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state and a top papal contender, publicly congratulated Leo, praising his awareness of contemporary challenges and recalling his inaugural call for “a peace that is disarmed and disarming. ” Parolin commended Leo’s leadership in Chiclayo, his problem-solving calm, balanced proposals, and his respect, care, and love for all.