Pope Leo XIV recently addressed leaders of the Latin American Association of Private Health Systems (ALAMI) at a Vatican seminar, urging them to uphold a strong moral vision as AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare. He stressed that while technological innovation can help manage resources and optimize systems, it must never overshadow the innate dignity of every patient.
He cautioned against subtle biases in AI systems, pointing out that they can distort how we see “the concrete patient” — reducing people to data points, statistics, or cost-centers. Pope Leo warned that this risk could lead to unjust exclusion or manipulation, especially if AI is used with purely economic or political motives.
To counter such trends, he called for a “broad vision” rooted in solidarity and the common good — one that doesn’t just calculate efficiency but genuinely cares for people. According to him, technology must be balanced with “human contact, a gesture of care,” and a recognition of each person’s fragility and value. In his closing remarks, Pope Leo expressed hope that the seminar’s participants — including health managers — would combine ethical foresight with “attentive human presence.” He envisions an integrated approach where AI helps, but never replaces, the compassion and relationships that are central to caring for human life.
