Pope Leo XIV Urges Students to Take Charge of Technology, Not Be Ruled by It
Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful and heartfelt message to students gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall for the Jubilee of the World of Education, challenging them to use technology responsibly and to see education as one of the most transformative forces in the world. Drawing from his own experience as a former teacher, he encouraged the young audience to live life fully, aim higher, and never settle for mediocrity.
The Pope began by recalling the example of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, whose faith-filled life inspired his generation with the motto “To the heights.” Echoing this call, Pope Leo urged students to long for something greater than the superficial pleasures and fleeting trends that often dominate modern youth culture. He invited them to become a “generation plus,” remembered for adding meaning, creativity, and compassion to the Church and to society.
Education, he reminded them, is not just a means to acquire knowledge but a calling to change the world. “Education is one of the most beautiful and powerful tools for transforming society,” he said, calling on young people to take ownership of their learning and become witnesses of truth and peace. He spoke of a “new season of education” in which students are not passive recipients but active participants in building communities rooted in honesty, curiosity, and empathy.
Turning to the theme of technology, Pope Leo warned against the temptation to let digital tools take control of human life. “Do not let technology use you,” he said, stressing that while artificial intelligence may be capable of impressive feats, it should always serve human dignity, not replace it. He called for a culture that humanizes the digital world by making it a space of fraternity, creativity, and authentic connection. Using the example of Saint Carlo Acutis, the Pope reminded students that holiness and technology can coexist when guided by purpose and love.
The Pope also spoke of the importance of nurturing the interior life, warning that without silence, prayer, and reflection, even the brightest minds can lose direction. He quoted Saint Augustine’s words about listening to one’s own restlessness as a way of discovering God’s truth within. He urged the youth not to flee from emptiness or fill it with distractions but to cultivate inner strength and self-knowledge.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo called education for peace the greatest challenge of all. He reminded the students that changing the world begins with disarming hearts, rejecting anger and division, and choosing reconciliation and kindness. “Do not look for shooting stars,” he said softly. “Look higher still, toward Jesus Christ, who is the light that never fades.”
Thank you for reading our article.
