Leo XIV. – The Cyber Pope?

Recently, I said something in a conversation that surprised even me: “Fifteen years ago, we’d still say ‘Oh, that conservative guy in Rome…’ and now it feels like with Pope Francis, the last great bearer of hope has passed away.” Interestingly, instead of odd looks, I received a lot of agreement – even though the group I was talking to was very diverse.

And now we have Leo XIV, speaking about Artificial Intelligence. Just days after his election, he’s already been photographed with his smartphone more times than Francis was during his entire papacy – or at least that’s how it feels.

And suddenly I catch myself skimming through Leo XIV’s speeches, hoping to find answers to my AI questions. What is happening?

The New Pope and the AI Revolution

Leo XIV explicitly mentions artificial intelligence as one of the reasons behind his choice of name: “There are different reasons for this, but mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical “Rerum Novarum” addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution. In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour.” ¹

For me personally, this moment marks the first time the Church has visibly entered my digital present – the one I actually live in. Even though – and I think this is important to emphasize – Pope Francis laid the groundwork and was definitely grounded in the present. Still, he was many things, but not exactly a “tech wizard.”

Leo XIV: The First Silver Surfer Among the Successors of Peter

Pope Leo XIV, on the other hand, is a true “Silver Surfer.” Though he didn’t grow up with digital media, he uses it with ease. On the very day of his election, a video circulated showing him FaceTiming his brother, skipping any greeting and going straight to: “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

A hint of “instant mentality”, a symptom of modern communication culture?

Leo XIV or Leo 14.0?

Will Leo XIV become the first pope to have his speeches written by ChatGPT? Will we soon see JesuIT – the ultimate custom GPT from the Vatican? I hope not. I hope that at least in this area, we’ll hold on to the roots of humanity. Analog and certain that no hallucinating AI was involved.

But maybe he is already using AI as a tool? If so, I’d be totally fine with that. In fact, I’d be very interested if Leo XIV shared insights into how he’s using AI – if at all. Especially because those two worlds seem so far apart.

The Tightrope Walk Between Fascination and Concern

We’re living in an era full of disinformation, uncertainty, and digital overload, while AI is evolving at breakneck speed. Technically, I find it all incredibly exciting. Ethically, to be honest, it worries me. Will we even be able to trust anything in the future?

The more information we’re bombarded with, the harder it becomes to discern what’s true, relevant – or even still human. It’s no wonder that people long for something to hold onto. Maybe it’s this very desire that drives even non-religious people toward places of higher meaning – like the Church. Not because they offer all the answers, but because they can be a fixed point in the chaos. Less speed, more depth. That’s why it could become truly interesting if Pope Leo XIV really begins to speak out about AI.

So far, Leo XIV has made statements like: communication is not just about information, but the creation of culture or that the enormous potential of AI requires responsibility and discernment “in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all.” ² At first glance, nothing revolutionary. And yet: He’s putting his finger on the wound and raising expectations – perhaps for his first encyclical? #instantmentality

Clash of Controversies

To conclude – all these thoughts I’m putting into words here are proof of just how much change is happening in our world right now. It feels like we’re inside a cocktail shaker. Controversial topics are colliding and reordering themselves.

Regardless of which actors should or should not be involved – maybe there really is hope. Hope that we’ll break free from the obsession with unhealthy growth and refocus on what makes us better as a human family. Or are we just creating new templates to further divide society?

Questions upon questions…

How do you experience the interplay between AI, ethics, and spirituality?
Let me know – I’d love to hear your perspective!