Pope Leo XIV urged a broad, sustained conversation with technology companies, political leaders and civil society to address growing concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), saying expert warnings deserve serious attention and should not be dismissed as "fake news."
Speaking to reporters aboard his flight back to Rome after a multi-day visit to France, the pontiff emphasized that the concerns voiced by many AI specialists "should be taken seriously." He warned that simply dismissing these warnings would be irresponsible. "To simply say, 'Oh, it's not gonna happen' and close our eyes to it, I think is probably not the most responsible way to go about that," he said.
"I don't think that that is fake news, as some have said," Leo added, a likely reference to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously described similar warnings as a "hoax."
Vatican Action and Guidance
Earlier this year, Pope Leo published an encyclical on AI — the Catholic Church's formal doctrinal guidance — that explored both the opportunities and the risks presented by rapidly advancing technologies. The document attracted international attention and renewed calls for ethical safeguards and oversight.
The Vatican has also established a commission on artificial intelligence. According to the pope, the commission is tasked "to continue to promote dialogue, study, investigation, to find ways to make sure that AI does not get to a point where it could destroy humanity or remove humanity from the conversation."
When asked whether he feared AI could destroy humanity, the pope replied, "Am I in panic mode? No, I'm not. I sleep at night." He described himself as "relatively optimistic" that continued engagement, oversight and collaboration can reduce risks while preserving human dignity and decision-making.
Key Takeaway: The pope is calling for global, cross-sector collaboration — between tech firms, lawmakers, ethicists and civil society — to shape AI development responsibly and prevent catastrophic outcomes.
