Pope Leo XIV has disclosed that artificial intelligence played a role in his decision to choose his papal name. According to the Pope, AI helped him draw parallels between the current technological revolution and the 19th-century Industrial Revolution, which inspired him to take the name Leo XIV, referencing Pope Leo XIII.
Pope Leo XIII had addressed social issues during the Industrial Revolution with his encyclical Rerum Novarum. The Pope emphasized that while AI is a valuable tool, it poses challenges to human dignity, justice, and labor. He plans to follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis in tackling the rising age of AI, focusing on the Church's social teachings to address these challenges.
In his first formal meeting with the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV outlined his vision for his papacy, emphasizing continuity and collegiality, Catholic social teaching, and dialogue and synodality. He stressed the importance of defending human dignity, justice, and labor rights in the face of AI's growing influence.
The Pope's approach to AI reflects the Catholic Church's growing concern about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on society.
