Artificial intelligence is no stranger to the Vatican. The new pope on AI and the challenges of the technological revolution

• The new Pope Leo XIV, already at the beginning of his pontificate, emphasizes the social challenges of the new technological revolution, especially artificial intelligence.
• The Vatican has been engaged in ethical reflection on AI for years. It emphasizes the need to develop it in the service of man, not instead of man.
• In January 2025, the document "Antiqua et Nova" was published, in which the Holy See clearly declares that technology is not morally neutral and its use must take into account values ​​​​such as justice, solidarity and the protection of life.

Robert Prevost is the new pope, elected by the College of Cardinals on May 8. He chose Leo as his new name, and during his first meeting with the cardinals, he clearly indicated his inspiration from Leo XIII. - In his historic encyclical "Rerum Novarum" he addressed the social issue in the context of the first great industrial revolution - he explained.

It is therefore possible that the first documents issued by the new pope will concern artificial intelligence. During the meeting with the cardinals, he admitted that developments in the field of artificial intelligence "pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and work."

Vatican with Microsoft: Progress Should Develop Human Genius, Not Replace It

This is not the first time the Vatican has spoken out on AI. In February 2020, the Pontifical Academy for Life, along with the Italian Ministry of Innovation and technology companies Microsoft and IBM, signed the “Roman Appeal for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence.”

He called for supporting an ethical approach to artificial intelligence and promoting a sense of responsibility among organizations, governments and private sector companies so that technological progress serves to develop "human genius and creativity, and not gradually replace them."

The document proposes six ethical principles related to the development of artificial intelligence:

1. Transparency: AI systems should be understandable and explainable.
2. Inclusivity: AI should be accessible to everyone, without exclusion.
3. Liability: AI creators and users are responsible for its performance.
4. Impartiality: AI should not discriminate against any person or group.
5. Reliability: AI systems must be safe and function as intended.
6. Privacy: Protecting users' personal data and privacy is crucial.

The authors also reminded us of the need to support sustainable development, including environmental protection and the fight against poverty. They also emphasized the need to conduct broad education on artificial intelligence so that as many people as possible could participate in its use.

Interestingly, the Vatican itself uses AI solutions. Microsoft has digitally recreated the Basilica there.

Artificial intelligence should develop for the common good

The rather technical “Roman Appeal” is not the end. In January of this year, towards the end of Pope Francis’ pontificate, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education issued the document “Antiqua et Nova.” This is already a powerful reflection of the church on the relationship between AI and human intelligence . The text examines the anthropological and ethical challenges associated with the development of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need to guide its development in a way that serves human dignity and the common good.

First of all, it is emphasized that human intelligence cannot be replaced by technology , because it encompasses spiritual, physical, relational and moral aspects. Meanwhile, as the cardinals write, AI, although capable of performing complex tasks, is based on data processing and algorithms, without consciousness, the ability to morally discern or create authentic relationships .

Because AI lacks the richness of the physicality, relationality, and openness of the human heart to truth and goodness, its capabilities—though seemingly limitless—are incomparable to the human capacity for understanding reality. There is so much to learn from illness, reconciliation, and even a simple sunset; in fact, many of the experiences we have as humans open new horizons and offer the possibility of new wisdom. No device working solely with data can measure up to these and the countless other experiences present in our lives.

Vatican clearly states that technology is not morally neutral

In “Antiqua et Nova,” the cardinals call for responsible development and use of AI that is directed toward serving humanity and the common good. Contrary to the usual presentation by tech CEOs, the Vatican clearly states that technology is not morally neutral, and its application must take into account values ​​such as justice, solidarity, protection of life and the environment .

Like any product of human creativity, AI can be directed toward positive or negative ends. When used in a way that respects human dignity and promotes the well-being of individuals and communities, it can contribute positively to the human calling. However, as in all areas where humans are called to make decisions, here too there is a shadow of evil. Where human freedom allows for the choice of evil, the moral evaluation of this technology will have to take into account how it is directed and used.

The authors of the Vatican document also remind that "the Church is particularly opposed to those uses that threaten the sanctity of life or the dignity of the human person."

“Antiqua et Nova” also warns against treating AI as a substitute for God or man. It emphasizes that it should be a tool supporting human intelligence, not replacing it. It calls for maintaining responsibility and moral discernment in the use of technology.

"The need to keep up with the pace of technological development can undermine a sense of agency"

The Vatican document also highlights a number of threats related to the development of AI. These include disinformation and deepfake, the development of autonomous weapons systems, and the violation of privacy and individual freedom.

While AI promises to increase productivity by taking over mundane tasks, it often forces workers to adapt to the speed and demands of machines, not machines designed to support those doing the work. As a result, and contrary to the advertised benefits of AI, current approaches to the technology can paradoxically disorganize workers, subject them to automated supervision, and relegate them to rigid and repetitive tasks. The need to keep up with the pace of technological advances can erode workers’ sense of agency and stifle the innovative abilities they should bring to their work .

And here we can return to the words of Pope Leo XIV. Perhaps the new leader of the Church will develop this very thread in subsequent documents.