Pope Leo XIV Pledges to Pursue the Reforms of Pope Francis, Embraces AI Ethics, Inclusion, and Legacy of Social Justice in Inaugural Address

MAY 10: Pope Leo XIV (formerly Robert Francis Prevost) makes his first address to the College of Cardinals on May 10, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. In his remarks, he referred to the inspiration for his papal name, saying that Pope Leo XIII addressed issues of human dignity and social justice "in the context of the first great industrial revolution" and that today "the Church offers to all her treasure of social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and the developments of artificial intelligence."

VATICAN CITY — In his first formal audience on Saturday, May 10, Pope Leo XIV laid out a forward-looking vision for his papacy, naming artificial intelligence as one of the most pressing global challenges. The newly elected pontiff pledged continuity with the modernizing legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, emphasizing the Catholic Church’s mission to serve the marginalized, uphold dignity, and remain responsive in a rapidly changing world.

Leo reaffirmed his full commitment to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the landmark 1960s assemblies that modernized Catholic liturgy and structure. He reiterated his intention to lead a church that is inclusive, attentive to its faithful, and focused on justice for “the least and rejected.”

In a defining moment of his address, Leo explained the reasoning behind choosing his papal name. He drew inspiration from Pope Leo XIII, who led the Church from 1878 to 1903 and is best remembered for the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum. That document, foundational to Catholic social teaching, tackled the pressing issues of workers’ rights and the moral limits of both unfettered capitalism and socialism during the rise of industrialization.

Leo XIV said he sees a parallel between the challenges of that earlier industrial age and the dilemmas posed by today’s technological revolution, particularly artificial intelligence. He warned that the Church must engage actively with questions of AI’s impact on human dignity, labor, and justice.

“In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor,” the pope said.

The concern for AI and ethics echoes the final years of Pope Francis’ leadership, during which he became increasingly outspoken about the societal threats posed by unchecked technological development. Francis repeatedly called for an international treaty to govern AI, warning that algorithm-driven systems could erode human relationships and morality.

At a summit of the Group of Seven nations, Francis had insisted on maintaining a human-centered approach to AI, stressing that critical decisions — especially those involving weapons or justice — must remain in human hands. In his 2024 annual peace message, Francis further emphasized that AI must be developed with compassion, mercy, and ethical grounding to avoid the perils of a soulless technological future.

Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural message signals that the Vatican will remain deeply engaged in debates over AI ethics and social justice, tying its spiritual mission to contemporary global issues with far-reaching moral consequences.