Pope Leo Highlights Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Message to American Youth
Pope Leo offered a measured reflection on artificial intelligence during a live video exchange with thousands of young Catholics in the United States, encouraging them to approach new technologies with judgment rooted in personal growth. Speaking from the Vatican to a national youth gathering in Indianapolis, he noted that intelligent systems are shaping the era in which today’s students are growing up. He welcomed their opportunities for discovery while urging them to resist the temptation to let automated tools replace their own intellectual development. The pope emphasized that digital assistance becomes meaningful only when it strengthens the learner’s ability to think, reason and practice responsibility. His comments came during the first large-scale virtual dialogue of his papacy, a session that covered faith, friendship and the pressures experienced by young people navigating complex modern environments. The Holy Father reinforced the idea that moral formation cannot be outsourced to technology, calling on the audience to prioritize authenticity in both study and relationships.
The conversation also touched on leadership and the broader social challenges facing the United States. Pope Leo encouraged young Catholics to seek constructive engagement with those around them, especially at a time when public debate is increasingly polarized. He repeated his long-standing concern that political identity has begun to overshadow faith identity for many, urging the audience to avoid framing religious belief in narrow partisan terms. In referencing the Christian call to cultivate connection and solidarity, he reminded the youths that the Church’s mission remains grounded in bridge building rather than division. His comments echoed the pastoral vision advanced by earlier pontiffs, yet carried a distinctive emphasis on the cultural moment facing America, where technology, politics and identity often intertwine. The pope invited listeners to consider how attitudes shaped online can impact real communities and encouraged them to reflect critically on how digital culture forms their worldview.
The event drew approximately fifteen thousand participants, marking a significant moment for a papacy still in its early months. Pope Leo’s decision to initiate a broad youth-focused dialogue reflects an effort to place ethical discernment and global citizenship at the center of Catholic engagement with emerging technologies. While his remarks acknowledged tensions surrounding political rhetoric and national policy, he framed them within a larger appeal for unity and compassion. The Vatican has increasingly addressed questions about artificial intelligence, data ethics and social impact, and these themes appeared naturally within the pope’s conversation with the young attendees. By encouraging them to develop habits of thoughtful judgment in an age of rapid digital acceleration, he positioned responsible technological use as a matter of personal formation and civic responsibility. The exchange underscored the continuing relevance of Catholic ethical teaching in navigating new forms of communication and information, affirming the Church’s interest in guiding believers through the evolving landscape of digital life.
