Pope Leo XIV and PM Mark Carney discuss AI ethics, urging safeguards to ensure technology protects human dignity and serves the common good.
Newsroom (02/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) A recent exchange between Pope Leo XIV and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney underscores a profound shift in the global conversation around artificial intelligence: it is no longer merely a technical or economic issue, but an ethical one.
On May 29, the two leaders spoke by telephone in the days following the publication of the Pope’s new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. According to the Holy See, their discussion centered on a key concern of the document—ensuring that artificial intelligence develops according to ethical principles and remains firmly oriented toward the human person.
The conversation signals a growing alignment between the moral reflections of the Vatican and the practical concerns of political leadership. As governments around the world grapple with the rapid expansion of AI, the question is no longer simply how to innovate, but how to do so responsibly. Both Leo XIV and Carney emphasized the importance of safeguards designed to protect human dignity, individual rights, and the broader common good.
This convergence comes at a moment of heightened urgency. Only days before the call, Carney announced plans to introduce a federal strategy on artificial intelligence. The framework, he indicated, will aim to protect Canadians and democratic institutions while strengthening international cooperation in the development and governance of AI technologies.
Carney, who took office on March 14, 2025, and is known for openly integrating his Catholic faith into his public reflections (when it suits electoral politics), has increasingly framed technological innovation as a domain requiring ethical accountability. Following his conversation with the Pope, he publicly praised Leo XIV’s message of compassion and unity, reiterating that artificial intelligence must serve humanity—not the reverse. He also underscored the importance of protecting individuals as both governments and private enterprises accelerate the deployment of advanced systems.
For the Vatican, the engagement represents a notable shift in timing and tone. Historically, the Catholic Church has often responded to technological revolutions after they were already well underway. In the case of artificial intelligence, however, Leo XIV appears determined to position the Church as an early participant in shaping the conversation.
The encyclical Magnifica Humanitas reflects this proactive stance. At its core is a warning against evaluating technological progress solely through the lenses of efficiency, productivity, or profit. Instead, Leo XIV argues that innovation must be judged by its capacity to strengthen the human person and contribute to authentic human flourishing.
The implications of this perspective extend beyond theology into policymaking. As AI systems become increasingly embedded in areas ranging from healthcare to security and economic decision-making, the ethical frameworks guiding their deployment will have tangible consequences for societies worldwide. The Pope’s insistence on human-centered development resonates with growing calls among policymakers for regulatory approaches that prioritize accountability and transparency.
The phone call also touched on a range of international issues beyond digital ethics. According to the Vatican, both leaders expressed concern about ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, emphasizing the need for renewed efforts to promote peace amid persistent instability. The inclusion of these topics reflects the broader diplomatic context in which discussions about technology now occur—one in which digital tools and geopolitical tensions are increasingly intertwined.
In addition, Carney expressed gratitude for Vatican initiatives aimed at returning Indigenous artifacts from the Vatican Museums. The gesture has been widely welcomed in Canada as part of ongoing efforts toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities, highlighting another dimension of the Vatican’s engagement with contemporary global concerns.
Though brief, the exchange offers early insight into how Leo XIV intends to engage with world leaders on some of the defining issues of the twenty-first century. The conversation suggests that artificial intelligence will occupy a central place in that dialogue—not merely as a driver of economic transformation, but as a test of humanity’s ethical priorities.
Ultimately, the Pope’s message frames the debate in civilizational terms. The future of artificial intelligence, he suggests, is not solely a technical matter. It is a reflection of deeper choices about what kind of society humanity seeks to build.
In aligning with this vision, Carney’s emerging policy approach signals that governments, too, are beginning to recognize the limits of purely technological or market-driven perspectives. As AI continues to reshape the global landscape, the intersection of ethics, governance, and innovation may prove to be the decisive arena in determining its impact.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s message of unity and compassion continues to inspire hope and change across the globe.
During our conversation today, I thanked His Holiness for his efforts to return Indigenous artefacts from the Vatican Museums, and we discussed the urgent need for… pic.twitter.com/Fk8n4Fc4CX
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 29, 2026
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Zenit News
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