Pope Leo XIV lays out vision of papacy and identifies AI as a main challenge for humanity
3 minute readPublished: Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 7:14 pm
Pope Leo XIV Outlines Papacy Vision, Identifies AI as Key Challenge
VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, has begun his papacy with a clear vision, emphasizing continuity with his predecessor, Pope Francis, while also charting his own course. In his first public outing since his election, Pope Leo XIV visited a sanctuary south of Rome, a place of significance to his Augustinian order and namesake, Pope Leo XIII. He greeted townspeople, offered blessings, and then traveled back to the Vatican.
During his first formal audience with the cardinals who elected him, Pope Leo XIV reiterated his commitment to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and to making the Catholic Church more inclusive, attentive to the faithful, and focused on the "least and rejected," echoing Pope Francis's mission. He also identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a major challenge facing humanity, echoing Pope Francis's concerns about AI's impact on human dignity, justice, and labor.
The Vatican has also revealed details about Pope Leo XIV's papacy, including his motto, "In Illo uno unum," emphasizing unity within the Church, and his coat of arms, which features the Augustinian order's emblem. The Pope's pectoral cross, a gift from the Augustinian order, contains relics of St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica.
Pope Leo XIV's choice of name reflects his connection to Pope Leo XIII, who laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought, particularly through his encyclical *Rerum Novarum*, which addressed workers' rights and capitalism. The new Pope has expressed his commitment to the Church's social teachings in the face of the "industrial revolution" of AI.
The election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Bishop Robert Prevost, was remarkably swift, occurring on the fourth ballot of the conclave. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a contender for the papacy, offered his congratulations, praising Pope Leo XIV's understanding of contemporary issues and his leadership qualities.
BNN's Perspective: Pope Leo XIV's early actions suggest a thoughtful and considered approach to leading the Church. His emphasis on continuity with Pope Francis, while also addressing the emerging challenges of AI, indicates a desire to build on the past while looking toward the future. His focus on inclusivity and the marginalized is a welcome sign, and his swift election suggests a strong mandate from the College of Cardinals.
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