AI inspired the new Pope in choosing his papal name

On May 10, in an address to the College of Cardinals following his election, Pope Leo XIV revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) played a role in guiding his choice of papal name, the formal name taken by a pope upon ascending to the role. 

According to the Vatican's official translation of his remarks, Pope Leo XIV explained that his decision to adopt the name "Leo" was inspired by Pope Leo XIII, who led the Church during the late 19th century and addressed the social challenges of the first industrial revolution through his landmark encyclical "Rerum Novarum." The new pontiff framed this historical parallel within the context of today's technological upheaval, linking his decision to what he described as "another industrial revolution" centred on developments in AI.

"In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour," Pope Leo XIV added.

The Catholic Church has increasingly engaged with questions surrounding the ethical and social implications of AI. A document released by the Vatican earlier this year examined the technology's limitations and its potential to distort truth, echoing previous concerns raised by Pope Francis, who warned of AI's capacity to generate convincing but false narratives. While his predecessor set the stage for a critical engagement with AI, Pope Leo XIV's remarks suggest that the issue may become a defining theme of his papacy.

Read more

The new Pope is a gamer in everyday life