Artificial intelligence might be the talk of Silicon Valley, but in Rome, it has become part of a broader conversation. Pope Leo XIV has once again turned his attention to AI, this time urging scientists, entrepreneurs, and Church leaders to ensure that new technologies remain “rooted in respect for human dignity and the common good.” In a message to participants at the Builders AI Forum 2025, held at the Pontifical Gregorian University, the Pope praised those trying to align innovation with moral and spiritual purpose. He thanked researchers, business leaders, and pastoral thinkers for seeking ways to make technological progress serve humanity rather than the other way around.
It’s not the first time the new pontiff, who has made ethics in technology a recurring theme since his election earlier this year, has addressed the world of AI. In earlier speeches, he described artificial intelligence as one of humanity’s defining challenges, warning of its impact on human dignity, justice, and labour. This latest message, though, goes further: he wants builders of AI to treat their work not just as an intellectual pursuit, but as a moral and spiritual calling.
What AI can do vs who we are becoming
“The question is not merely what AI can do,” Pope Leo wrote in his address, “but who we are becoming through the technologies we build.”
For him, artificial intelligence is more than code and computation, it’s a reflection of the human spirit. The Pope described AI as an expression of the creative potential that God has entrusted to humanity, calling technological invention a “participation in the divine act of creation.” But with that gift, he said, comes responsibility.
“Every design choice expresses a vision of humanity,” he warned, urging developers to “cultivate moral discernment as a fundamental part of their work.” He called on scientists and engineers to create systems grounded in justice, solidarity, and a deep reverence for life.
Pope Leo’s words arrive at a time when the tech world is wrestling with the moral limits of automation, from deepfake misinformation to the use of AI in warfare. While governments scramble to regulate, the Vatican’s message lands as a spiritual check-in for an industry that often moves faster than its conscience.
Building bridges between faith and algorithms
The Pope also framed the challenge of ethical AI as a shared, ecclesial mission—one that extends beyond church walls or corporate boardrooms. “It must be a profoundly ecclesial endeavour,” he said, describing the creation of responsible AI as a modern dialogue between faith and reason, renewed in the digital age.
He encouraged innovators to see their work as part of a broader mission: placing technology at the service of evangelisation, education, healthcare, and human development. Whether designing machine-learning tools for hospitals or crafting digital storytelling platforms, every project, he said, should reflect a commitment to the common good.
“Intelligence, whether artificial or human,” he reminded participants, “finds its fullest meaning in love, freedom, and relationship with God.”
Pope Leo’s growing interest in AI echoes his earlier remarks to the Vatican’s conference on technology and ethics, where he described artificial intelligence as an “exceptional product of human genius” but emphasised that it must always remain “a tool, not a master.” He also warned of the risks AI poses to young people, urging parents and educators to safeguard children’s moral and emotional growth in a world of algorithmic influence.
With these statements, Pope Leo XIV has positioned himself as one of the few global faith leaders directly engaging with the ethics of artificial intelligence. His vision isn’t anti-technology, it’s an invitation to infuse code with conscience. In his words, the future of AI will not be defined only by its capabilities, but by the kind of humanity it helps to create.
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