Pope Leo XIV on May 17 warned against allowing artificial intelligence (AI) to undermine human dignity, urging communicators and technology developers to preserve authentic human relationships and truth as AI rapidly reshapes global communications.
Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Regina Caeli prayer, Pope Leo used his remarks marking World Communications Day to warn that technological advances must not come at the expense of human truth and dignity.
“In this era of artificial intelligence, I encourage everyone to commit themselves to promoting forms of communication that always respect the truth of the human person, on which every technological innovation should be focused,” the Pope said.
“Preserving human voices and faces,” he said, was the theme of this year’s observance of World Communications Day.
Pope Leo also highlighted the beginning of Laudato Si’ Week, an annual initiative inspired by Pope Francis’ landmark 2015 environmental encyclical on ecology and climate responsibility.
The Holy Father pointed out how wars and global instability in recent years have hindered progress toward peace and environmental cooperation.
“Sadly, in recent years, due to wars, progress in this direction has been greatly impeded,” Pope Leo said. “Indeed, caring for peace is caring for life.”
“Therefore, I encourage the members of the Laudato Si’ Movement and all who promote an integral ecology to renew their commitment,” he said.
Earlier in his address, the Pope reflected on the feast of the Ascension, describing it not as a distant historical event but as a continuing spiritual reality that draws believers toward communion with God.
“The Ascension, therefore, does not speak to us of a distant promise, but of a living bond,” he said.
The Pope also encouraged Catholics to look to both canonized saints and ordinary believers — including parents, grandparents and others living the Gospel in daily life — as examples of holiness. Echoing a phrase frequently used by the late Pope Francis, he referred to the “saints next door.”
“With them, with their support and thanks to their prayer, we too can learn to ascend day by day toward heaven,” the Pope said.