New pope names AI as a major moral challenge for the church

Pope Leo XIV signals continuity with predecessors while highlighting artificial intelligence as a key challenge for Catholic social teaching. The first American pontiff, elected following Pope Francis’ death, explicitly compared today’s AI revolution to the industrial changes that prompted Leo XIII’s landmark social encyclical in 1891. His inaugural address to cardinals revealed a leadership vision focused on continuing Francis’ reforms, emphasizing synodality, dialogue with contemporary culture, and concern for marginalized communities—suggesting the Catholic Church may soon develop specific teachings on AI’s implications for human dignity and labor.

The big picture: Pope Leo XIV became the first American pope in Catholic history after his election on Thursday, taking his name from Leo XIII who addressed social justice issues during the Industrial Revolution.

• Born as Robert Prevost in Chicago, the new pontiff immediately connected his papacy to both his 19th-century namesake and to Pope Francis, suggesting continuity in the Church’s social teaching.
• In his first formal meeting with cardinals, Leo explicitly identified artificial intelligence as presenting “new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor” that require Catholic response.

Key details: Leo’s inaugural address on Saturday emphasized that his papacy will build upon Pope Francis’ church reforms and social justice legacy.

• Speaking in fluent Italian, he called Francis’ ministry a “precious legacy” characterized by “complete dedication to service,” “sober simplicity of life,” and “serene trust.”
• The new pope asked cardinals to renew their commitment to the Second Vatican Council’s modernizing reforms from the 1960s.

What they’re saying: Pope Leo framed his approach to leadership as collaborative and humble despite the immense responsibility.

• “You, dear cardinals, are the closest collaborators of the pope. This has proved a great comfort to me in accepting a yoke clearly far beyond my own limited powers,” he stated.
• He outlined four guiding principles for the Church: “missionary focus,” “growth in collegiality and synodality,” “courageous dialogue with the contemporary world,” and “loving care for the least and the rejected.”

Historical context: Leo XIII, who led the Church from 1878 to 1903, wrote the foundational social encyclical “Rerum Novarum” addressing worker exploitation during industrialization.

• By invoking Leo XIII and explicitly connecting AI to industrial revolution challenges, the new pope appears to be signaling development of formal Catholic teaching on artificial intelligence.
• This positioning bridges traditional Catholic social doctrine with contemporary technological concerns affecting labor and human dignity.

What’s next: Pope Leo XIV will greet crowds from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, with his formal installation Mass scheduled for Sunday, May 18.