“The danger is that the digital world will follow its own path, and we will become pawns, or be brushed aside,” the Pope said, pointing to the erosion of human value in an increasingly digital realm.
Newsroom (23/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV expressed deep concerns about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), warning that it poses significant risks to humanity’s spiritual and moral fabric. Speaking on July 10 at Villa Barberini, the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff addressed the challenges of finding “the presence of God” in AI and cautioned against its unchecked development. His remarks, published on Sept. 18 in the Spanish-language book Leo XIV: Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century, underscore a growing unease within the Catholic Church about technology’s impact on society.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the Church is not opposed to technological progress, citing AI’s contributions to fields like medicine. “Great things have happened thanks to AI,” he acknowledged. However, he voiced alarm at the “incredible pace” of its advancement, warning that it risks creating a “false world” detached from truth. “The danger is that the digital world will follow its own path, and we will become pawns, or be brushed aside,” he said, pointing to the erosion of human value in an increasingly digital realm.
The pontiff’s concerns were personal as well as philosophical. He recounted a recent incident in which a deepfake video depicted him falling down a staircase, an event that never occurred. “Someone asked me, ‘Are you OK?’” he recalled. “I said, ‘Yes, I’m fine. Why do you ask?’ They thought it was me.” The convincingly fabricated video, he noted, highlights the dangers of AI-generated misinformation in an era plagued by deepfakes—fake images, videos, or audio created by AI.
Pope Leo also revealed that he recently rejected a proposal to create an AI-generated avatar of himself, which would have allowed users to interact with a virtual pope online. “I’m not going to authorize that,” he stated firmly. “If there’s anyone who shouldn’t be represented by an avatar, it seems to me, it’s the pope.” He argued that such technology undermines the authenticity of human connection and the Church’s mission.
The Holy Father further addressed the societal appetite for “fake news” and conspiracy theories, describing it as a “great challenge.” “People want to believe in conspiracies, people want to seek out all these false things, and that is very destructive,” he said, urging the Church to take a stand against the proliferation of misinformation. He attributed this trend to a deeper human need, noting, “Something is going on there.”
Criticizing the priorities of “extremely wealthy” individuals driving AI development, Pope Leo warned that their focus often ignores “the value of human beings and humanity.” He called for the Church to speak out on these issues, advocating for a balanced approach that harnesses technology’s benefits while safeguarding human dignity.
As AI continues to reshape society, Pope Leo XIV’s remarks signal a broader call for ethical reflection and vigilance. His warnings, rooted in both personal experience and theological insight, position the Church as a critical voice in the global conversation about technology’s role in the 21st century.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
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