Pope Leo XIV called on Catholic theologians Saturday to develop a “theology of wisdom” to confront pressing global issues including Artificial Intelligence
Newsroom (15/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV called on Catholic theologians Saturday to develop a “theology of wisdom” to confront pressing global issues, including environmental crises and the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence (AI), in an address to an international seminar hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Theology.
The pontiff underscored the critical role of environmental sustainability, declaring that “care of creation” is vital for human survival and peaceful coexistence. “These are essential commitments to ensure the survival of the human race,” he said, emphasizing their profound impact on global harmony.
Leo stressed that theology, central to the Church’s mission, must be dynamic and responsive to contemporary human experiences. “It must be incarnate, imbued with the pains, joys, expectations, and hopes of the women and men of our time,” he said, citing St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas as exemplars of integrating faith and reason to guide modern theological thought.
Addressing the rise of AI, Pope Leo cautioned against a purely ethical approach to its complexities. “An exclusively ethical approach to the complex world of artificial intelligence is not enough,” he said, advocating for an anthropological perspective grounded in human dignity. He posed a fundamental question: “What is a human being? What is his or her inherent dignity, which is irreconcilable with a digital android?”
The pope referenced 2023 reforms to the Pontifical Academy of Theology under Pope Francis, which emphasized three dimensions: academic rigor, contemplative wisdom, and solidarity through charitable acts. He urged theologians to root their work in an encounter with Christ while engaging with disciplines such as philosophy, science, economics, law, literature, and the arts. He also called for dialogue within the Church and with other cultures and religions, positioning theology as a bridge between the Church and the global community.
The seminar, attended by theologians and scholars from around the world, reflects the Vatican’s ongoing commitment to addressing modern challenges through a faith-informed lens.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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