TLDR: At the recent AI for Good Summit in Geneva, the Vatican, through a message from Pope Leo XIV, strongly advocated for the ethical governance of artificial intelligence. The Holy See emphasized that AI development must prioritize human dignity, the common good, and social values, warning against a purely technocratic approach and highlighting the shared responsibility of developers, regulators, and users in ensuring AI serves humanity.
GENEVA, Switzerland – The Vatican has issued a powerful call for the ethical governance of artificial intelligence, urging global leaders and experts to ensure that AI development remains centered on human dignity and the common good. The message, delivered on behalf of Pope Leo XIV at the ‘AI for Good Summit 2025’ held in Geneva from July 8-11, underscored the urgent need for global responsibility and robust ethical frameworks in the rapidly advancing field of AI.
The summit, organized by the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with approximately 40 U.N. agencies and the Swiss government, served as a crucial platform for discussing the future of AI. Pope Leo XIV, who assumed the papacy in early 2025 following the death of Pope Francis, made it clear that his pontificate would continue the Church’s strong moral engagement with digital ethics.
The papal message, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and read aloud by Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the Vatican representative to U.N. agencies in Geneva, framed the digital revolution as a defining moment for humanity. It cautioned against a purely technocratic approach to AI, stressing that while these systems are capable of impressive feats, they ‘cannot replicate moral discernment or the ability to form genuine relationships,’ as noted by Cardinal Parolin. The Vatican’s statement highlighted the risk of AI reinforcing injustice if developed without clear ethical direction, rather than promoting human flourishing.
Key themes emphasized included the prioritization of human dignity, the common good, and ‘the tranquility of order’ – a concept drawn from St. Augustine’s ‘City of God,’ which evokes peace through justice and rightly ordered relationships. The Holy See called for greater attention to the anthropological and ethical implications of emerging technologies, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and governance.
The message also addressed the persistent global digital divide, noting that an estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide still lack access to modern communication tools. It underscored the international community’s responsibility to ensure that technological advancements are inclusive and equitable, especially benefiting rural and underserved communities.
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Pope Leo XIV’s communication urged developers, regulators, and users to share in the responsibility for the ethical use of AI systems. It called for the establishment of ‘regulatory frameworks centered on the human person,’ which transcend mere criteria of utility or efficiency. Cardinal Parolin concluded the message by expressing the Pope’s support for a globally coordinated approach to AI oversight, founded on shared ethical standards and respect for human freedoms, and offered prayers for the summit’s success and all efforts ‘towards the common good.’
