In his first formal address as pope, Leo XIV on Saturday laid out the guiding principles of his papacy, identifying artificial intelligence as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity and affirming his commitment to the reformist priorities of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Speaking before the College of Cardinals at the New Synod Hall, the first American pontiff said the Catholic Church must respond to the ethical dilemmas posed by AI and a new phase of industrial development with renewed dedication to human dignity, justice, and labor protections. "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," Leo said, drawing a parallel to Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed labor rights during the rise of industrial capitalism. Leo XIV — born Robert Prevost — was elected Thursday as the 267th pope in one of the swiftest conclaves in modern history. The Chicago-born Augustinian missionary was chosen on the fourth ballot, a result attributed to his quiet influence in smaller conclave sessions and widespread respect from cardinals across linguistic and cultural lines. A vocal supporter of the Second Vatican Council reforms, Leo pledged to build a church that listens more to the faithful, embraces "popular piety," and upholds the missionary spirit emphasized in Pope Francis' 2013 apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel, which he cited as a foundational document for his papacy. In a symbolic move, Leo has retained both the motto and coat of arms from his time as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. The Vatican confirmed the new pope's continued focus on artificial intelligence, a concern also voiced by Francis in his final years. Francis had warned of the dangers of unchecked technological power, calling for an international treaty to ensure AI remains human-centered and does not replace moral judgment with algorithms. The Vatican press office noted that Leo will prioritize ethical regulation of AI and explore the Church's role in shaping technology's impact on society, especially as it relates to labor, privacy, and social inequality. Leo's election follows a period of mourning after Francis' passing, with whom he shared close ties. Francis had brought Prevost to Rome in 2023 to oversee bishop appointments worldwide, a sign of trust that many cardinals saw as a testament to his leadership capacity. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state and a widely regarded papal contender, expressed support for the new pontiff in a published message Saturday, praising Leo's balanced leadership, diplomatic calm, and pastoral sensitivity. — Agencies
