Pope Leo XIV has urged Catholic legislators to ensure that the rapid development of artificial intelligence remains grounded in human rights, human dignity and the common good. Addressing the International Catholic Legislators Network at the Vatican, he argued that legislation should encourage scientific and technological innovation while protecting fundamental freedoms, privacy and users from exploitation. He also stressed that emerging technologies should strengthen democratic institutions rather than weaken them.
A central concern in his remarks was the need for strong oversight of AI. Pope Leo called for robust legal frameworks, independent supervision, informed users and political systems that do not surrender their responsibilities to technology. He advocated oversight at local, national and international levels, with shared ethical standards and social-justice principles so that no single ideology or interest determines the values embedded in AI systems.
The Pope placed particular emphasis on children, families and human relationships. He described the family as the “first school of humanity” and warned that AI must not erode the relationships through which people learn empathy, responsibility and human connection. He also linked the issue to education, arguing that technological development should support—not replace—the human environments in which young people develop their understanding of themselves and others.
The broader message is that AI governance should not be reduced to technical safety or economic competitiveness. Pope Leo's intervention frames AI as a question of what kind of society technology is helping to create. Innovation should continue, but lawmakers must ensure that AI remains accountable to people, protects vulnerable groups and reinforces human dignity, democratic institutions and the common good.
