In a powerful first official address that has sent ripples across the tech world and religious communities alike, Pope Leo XIV has called for urgent global cooperation on the ethical development of artificial intelligence.
Speaking from Vatican City, the newly elected pontiff warned that humanity must not “play God” with machines but instead prioritise dignity, justice, and inclusion in the future of AI.
We must not allow a few voices in powerful rooms to decide the fate of humanity
Pope Leo XIV
Artificial Intelligence must be for the good of all, not the profit of some.
Pope Leo XIV
This historic speech marks a growing intersection between spiritual leadership and technological governance, particularly at a time when AI systems are transforming everything from healthcare to warfare and from education to elections.
A Papal Plea for Ethical Tech
Pope Leo XIV emphasised that the Church is not anti-technology but insists that AI must be rooted in moral responsibility and human oversight.
He urged nations, corporations, and developers to work together in creating ethical guidelines and laws that protect vulnerable communities and ensure AI serves humanity, not the other way around.
“It is not science that threatens us, but how it is used without conscience,” he said.
🌍 What This Means for Africa
For Africa, a continent both brimming with AI potential and shadowed by regulatory gaps, the Pope’s words strike a timely chord.
Many African nations are rapidly adopting AI in sectors such as agriculture, fintech, and education, yet they often lack robust governance frameworks. Without ethical safeguards, there’s a real risk of exploitation, data colonialism, and social displacement.
African religious institutions—deeply trusted and highly influential—could play a vital role in shaping AI literacy, public discourse, and even policy.
With figures like Pope Leo XIV now speaking out, a new window opens for pan-African coalitions of faith, academia, and civic leaders to advocate for inclusive AI standards.
AI & Faith: An Unlikely Alliance?
While it may seem surprising to some that the Vatican is weighing in on algorithms and robotics, the Church has long engaged with technology. From bioethics to environmentalism, its positions have often helped shape global ethical frameworks.
With Leo XIV’s call, AI joins the list of modern phenomena that must be tempered with human wisdom, spiritual insight, and moral clarity.
FanalMag’s Take
We welcome this bold move by Pope Leo XIV.
It reminds us that AI isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a human one. As we build more intelligent systems, we must ask more thoughtful questions: Who benefits from them? Who decides? Who is left behind?
Ethics cannot be outsourced.
Let’s not wait for divine intervention. The time to act is now.
