Pope Leo XIV outlined his papacy's vision on Saturday, highlighting artificial intelligence (AI) as a crucial challenge for humanity and pledging to uphold key priorities established by Pope Francis. In a move marking his unique approach, Leo made his first public visit since election to the Madonna sanctuary south of Rome, significant to his Augustinian order and his namesake, Pope Leo XIII. His arrival in Genazzano drew townspeople to the square outside the Madre del Buon Consiglio sanctuary, managed by Augustinian friars and a pilgrimage site since the 15th century. Pope Leo XIII had elevated it to a minor basilica in the early 1900s and expanded the adjacent convent. After praying there, Leo blessed the locals and later stopped at Francis' tomb at St. Mary Major Basilica on his return to the Vatican. Earlier, Leo held his first formal audience with the cardinals who elected him, repeatedly invoking Pope Francis and his 2013 mission statement, emphasizing a commitment to inclusivity and caring for the marginalized. As the first American pope, Leo affirmed dedication to the Second Vatican Council’s reforms of the 1960s that modernized the Church. He pointed to AI as a major contemporary issue, challenging human dignity, justice, and labor. The Vatican revealed that Leo would keep his bishopric motto and coat of arms from Chiclayo, Peru, symbolizing unity in the Church. His motto, “In Illo uno unum, ” from St. Augustine, means that though Christians are many, in Christ they are one. His emblem features the Augustinian order’s pierced flaming heart and a book, representing Scripture.

His pectoral cross, a gift from the Augustinians upon becoming a cardinal in 2023, contains relics of St. Augustine and St. Monica, his mother. Leo connected his papal name choice to Pope Leo XIII, who shaped modern Catholic social teaching with the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum addressing workers’ rights amid the industrial revolution. Leo cited this legacy in light of today’s AI-related challenges to human dignity, justice, and labor. Toward the end of his pontificate, Francis increasingly warned about AI’s threats and advocated for an international regulatory treaty. Francis appointed the Chicago-born Augustinian missionary Robert Prevost—now Leo XIV—in key leadership roles: first bishop of a Peruvian diocese in 2014, then head of the Peruvian bishops conference, and in 2023, Vatican official overseeing bishop nominations. During Leo’s speech in the Vatican’s synod hall, he often referenced Francis’ death and his mission statement, "The Joy of the Gospel, " embracing its call for a missionary, collegial Church attentive to authentic popular piety and the marginalized while engaging boldly with the modern world. Leo’s election was exceptionally swift—on the fourth ballot during the largest and most geographically diverse conclave in history—garnering reportedly over 100 of 133 votes, well above the required two-thirds majority. Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana of Madagascar confirmed this remarkable margin. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, once a leading papal contender and now Vatican secretary of state, congratulated Leo in a letter published in his hometown paper, Il Giornale di Vicenza. Parolin praised Leo’s understanding of contemporary issues, recalling his inaugural call for “disarmed and disarming” peace. He commended Leo’s leadership in Chiclayo, his handling of complex matters in the Vatican’s bishops’ office, and his qualities of calm reasoning, balanced solutions, and deep respect and care for all.