Pope Leo XIV has called for discernment as the world rapidly embraces modern technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In his message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications themed “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” the Holy Father said AI must always be used to uphold human dignity and protect people’s cognitive, creative, and communication abilities.
He emphasized that communicators, who serve as the mirror and face of society, should use AI responsibly to report reality truthfully, support livelihoods, and serve communities without bias or compromise.
The Pope, however, warned that the risks of AI are real. He noted that the technology can be used to create false identities, deceptive speech, and manipulated images that conceal injustice, threatening human thinking and moral integrity. He urged communicators to remain vigilant against such falsehoods.
He also cautioned that technology exploiting humanity’s need for relationships can bring painful personal consequences and damage the social, cultural, and political fabric of society.
Pope Leo XIV further observed that AI systems are shaped by the worldview of their creators and can spread stereotypes and prejudices already present in the data they rely on.
He concluded by calling for proper regulation to protect individuals from unhealthy emotional attachment to technology, while encouraging people to cherish genuine human communication as one of the deepest truths of humanity.
World Day of Social Communications is observed annually on the Sunday before Pentecost as a moment of reflection for the Catholic Church on media, technology, and communication. In 2026, it will be celebrated on 17th May at diocesan and parish levels, with communities encouraged to recognize the important contribution of the media at the grassroots level.
The message was discussed by the Catholic Communicators from the 19 dioceses of the Uganda Episcopal Conference who gathered for the Social Communications Commission, Week at Ulrika Guest House, Ggogonya-Kisubi, from 22nd to 26th April 2026, held under the theme: “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Productivity and Effectiveness in Catholic Media Institutions,”.
By Jjunju Francis
26th April 2026
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