Pope Leo XIV urges young Catholics to use social media and AI responsibly, warning that technology can obscure true values and faith.
Newsroom (28/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV has called on young people to approach social media and artificial intelligence with moderation and discipline, cautioning that digital technologies can lead users into an “unreal world” where appearances and deception overshadow genuine values.
In a video message addressed to participants at the 2026 Halleluya Festival in Fortaleza, Brazil, the pontiff encouraged young Catholics to embrace technology responsibly while maintaining Christ at the center of their lives. The annual event, known for its combination of music, praise, worship, and evangelization, provided the backdrop for the pope’s reflections on faith, technology, and the mission of youth within the Church.
As an example for the digital generation, Leo XIV pointed to St. Carlo Acutis, the young Italian known for using digital tools and online platforms to promote the Catholic faith.
“He shows how to keep Christ always at the center, even when using technology,” the pope said.
The reference to Acutis came as Leo XIV continued to emphasize themes introduced in his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, published in May and focused on artificial intelligence. Building on that message, he encouraged young people to recognize both the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies.
“I advise you to use social media and artificial intelligence well, employing these tools in a moderate and disciplined manner, because they can immerse us in an unreal world where the ephemeral, mere appearance, and deception end up taking the place of true values and what really matters,” he warned.
The pope’s remarks reflected growing concerns about the influence of digital culture on personal relationships, identity, and spiritual life. While acknowledging the usefulness of technological tools, he stressed the importance of ensuring that they serve authentic human and moral development rather than becoming substitutes for reality.
Beyond his reflections on technology, Leo XIV focused extensively on the role of young people in the Church’s evangelizing mission. Praising the atmosphere and impact of the Halleluya Festival, he highlighted the spiritual fruits it has generated over the years, including confessions, conversions, and religious vocations.
“Today, I would like to say once again how good it is to be with young people. Your enthusiasm is contagious and awakens a renewed apostolic zeal in all of us,” the Holy Father said.
According to the pope, young Catholics possess a unique energy and missionary spirit that remains essential in addressing the challenges facing contemporary society. He described this “missionary vigor” as indispensable for bringing the message of the Gospel to a world that remains in need of its message.
“Never lose this missionary zeal!” he urged.
Leo XIV also stressed that countless people are still searching for meaning and fulfillment, needs that he said find their answer in Jesus Christ. Encouraging young believers to share their faith openly and confidently, he called on them to proclaim Christian teachings without fear.
“Proclaim with courage that a life without Christ is a life without grace. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” he declared, invoking the Gospel of St. John.
The pontiff further reinforced his appeal by recalling one of the most memorable expressions associated with St. John Paul II. Echoing the late pope’s message of trust and confidence in God, Leo XIV encouraged young people to entrust themselves fully to Christ.
“Do not be afraid of Christ. He takes nothing away; he gives everything,” he said, adding that those who give themselves to the Savior “receive a hundredfold” and “always emerge victorious.”
Concluding his message, Pope Leo XIV prayed that the Holy Spirit would renew in young people a transformative love capable of turning their youth into a powerful force for evangelization. He also asked that they become “living stones” helping to build a “city of peace.”
The pope ended by imparting his apostolic blessing to the participants and organizers of the Halleluya Festival, offering a final message of encouragement: “May God always be with you.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from EWTN News
