VATICAN — Pope Leo XIV has called for greater responsibility in the digital world, urging Catholic social media influencers to uphold human dignity and use artificial intelligence (AI) for the common good.
Presiding over the Vatican’s first-ever Mass for social media content creators inside St Peter’s Basilica, the newly elected pontiff said the world was facing a “challenge” posed by AI and urged young communicators to be “agents of communion” in a polarized world.
“Nothing that comes from man and his creativity should be used to undermine the dignity of others,” Pope Leo said during the Mass, part of the Vatican’s Jubilee of Youth — a once-in-a-generation celebration held every 25 years.
The Pope, who was elected in May, has made several high-profile statements on technology since assuming the papacy.
Tuesday’s remarks reinforced his emerging focus on the ethical risks and potential of digital platforms and AI systems.
“We have a duty to work together to develop a way of thinking, to develop a language, of our time, that gives voice to love,” he said, emphasizing the need for compassion in online communication.
He warned against the loss of “our ability to listen and speak” in this “new era.”
Influencers as Instruments of Faith
In a direct appeal to Catholic influencers and online creators, Pope Leo urged them to use their platforms to seek out “those who suffer and need to know the Lord,” rather than perpetuate division.
“Be agents of communion, capable of breaking down the logic of division and polarisation, of individualism and egocentrism,” he said.
This special Mass marks the first time the Vatican has formally addressed social media creators as a distinct group within the Church’s pastoral mission, acknowledging their growing influence among younger generations of Catholics.
A Pope Shaped by Global Roots and Technological Curiosity
Pope Leo XIV, 69, is the first American pontiff in history. Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian heritage, he studied mathematics at Villanova University in 1977 and was ordained in 1982.
He later moved to Peru, where he became known for his outreach to marginalized communities.
His academic background and grassroots work have shaped his emphasis on both digital ethics and social justice, making him a unique voice at the intersection of tradition and innovation.
In his inaugural Sunday address in May, Pope Leo warned that AI and other modern technologies require a renewed role for the Church “in defending human dignity and justice.”
The Pope’s address comes as tech giants and policymakers worldwide grapple with how to regulate emerging technologies, including generative AI.
His call for ethical frameworks rooted in human dignity places the Church as a moral voice in a conversation that is rapidly shaping the future of communication and community.
As the Jubilee of Youth continues, Vatican officials say they hope the Mass for influencers becomes a tradition — a way of bridging faith and the digital frontier.
