In an era marked by technological innovations that are revolutionizing the way of communicating, working and living, Pope Leo XIV’s words are a fundamental and indispensable appeal: “Do not stop new technologies, but govern them.” With his message for the 60th World Communications Day, the Pontiff invites conscious, ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (IA) and digital innovations, underlining that they must become allies of man, not omniscient oracles or substitutes for authentic relationships.
The message of Leo XIV, published on 24 January on the occasion of St. Francis of Sales, patron of the Catholic press, is part of a historical moment in which digital innovations advance at a sustained pace, bringing enormous benefits but also risks and pitfalls. Among these, the Pope highlights the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a few large companies, which, through algorithmic systems and artificial intelligences, hold a oligopolistic control that can subtly influence individual and collective behaviors, also rewriting history, often without the user being aware of it.
Behind this “ huge invisible force” are some of the most powerful companies in the world, often presented as the “creators of the person of the year 2025”, i.e. the architects of Artificial Intelligence. Their action, according to Leo XIV, requires strong ethical and political regulation, to prevent algorithmic systems from orienting opinions, feed false narratives and limit freedom of thought.
The Pope is not limited to denouncing the dangers, but proposes a road for guidance and shared governance of digital innovation. The challenge, he says, is not to block progress, but to direct it towards human and socially beneficial purposes. It is essential that advanced technologies be used as tools to support human relations, not as substitutes or oracles that claim to have all the answers.
In this sense, Leo XIV emphasizes that the true challenge is of an anthropological nature. “Custoding human faces and voices” means preserving the essence of our humanity in the face of the sophisticated imitations created by AI. Authentic communication, made of real faces and voices, is a gift of God, which distinguishes us from machines and defines us as creatures created in his image and likeness.
The theme chosen for Edition 2026 of the Day of Social Communications, “Custore voices and human faces”, highlights the centrality of the relational and spiritual dimension of communication. Leo XIV recalls that we are not made of algorithms, but of authentic relationships, emotions, thoughts and feelings that emerge from our lives and our faith. Technology, if badly ruled, is likely to alter this fundamental anthropological dimension, undermining the ability to listen, empathy and friendship.
Digitization can lead to a weakening of critical thinking ability, favoring bubbles of consensus and social polarizations. The algorithms designed to maximize social media involvement reward quick emotions, stimulating impulsive reactions and superficiality, and reducing the depth of human reflection. The dependence on IA, often perceived as an omniscient “friend”, can show off our ability to analyse, creativity and discernment, leading us to a sort of “cognitive dependence”.
One of the most disturbing aspects addressed by the Pope concerns the spread of manipulated and deceptive content, such as deepfake, which create parallel realities, and the distortion of information through algorithmic bias. These tools can generate digital hallucinations, feed false news and manipulate public opinion, favouring disinformation and loss of trust in media and institutions.
The risk of “parallel reality” where the perception of truth is subverted is a real danger, requiring attention and responsibility from all involved subjects: platforms, legislators, journalists and citizens. The crisis of journalism, the crisis of reliable sources, the proliferation of fake news are fertile ground for manipulation, and the Pope invites us to watch over the truth, respect human dignity and promote transparent and responsible information.
To address this complexity, Leo XIV proposes three fundamental pillars: responsibility, cooperation and education.
Responsibility for those who drive online platforms, IA systems and technological companies must act ethically, making priority the respect for human dignity and the common good. Transparency in algorithmic systems, content moderation and privacy protection are essential elements. Instead of focusing exclusively on profit, strategies must favour social and human values.
Cooperation to address the digital challenge, which requires collective effort. No actor can face it alone. It is necessary to create mechanisms of collaboration between governments, enterprises, civil society and religious communities. Only through an open and shared dialogue can an AI governance be built that safeguards the dignity of all and promotes responsible innovation.
Education, because training is the pillar on which a conscious digital citizenship can be built. literacy to the media, information and artificial intelligence must enter the educational systems of each level, from schools to university courses, to adult and senior education programs. Critical thinking, discernment and digital responsibility are fundamental tools to address the challenges of our time.
The Pope points out that education cannot be limited to teaching the technical use of technologies, but must also involve ethical, spiritual and humanistic dimensions. Only in this way can a “human technology”, which respects the dignity and freedom of each person. Spirituality, in particular, can represent an antidote to temptations of manipulation and dehumanization, recalling that authentic communication is a divine gift and a fundamental value.
Pope Leo XIV emphasizes that Artificial Intelligence is not an oracle intended to replace man, but a tool to govern with wisdom and responsibility. It can be a precious ally to improve people’s lives, strengthen relationships and promote the common good, provided it is guided by ethical and human principles.
The Pope invites all – governments, businesses, citizens and believers – to “guard human voices and faces”, not to lose sight of the personal and spiritual dimension of communication. The real challenge is to guard ourselves, keeping alive the sense of humanity, empathy and truth in an increasingly digitized world.
Pope Leo XIV’s message is an appeal to wise and enlightened use of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence. We must not be afraid of progress, but we must govern it with responsibility, cooperation and education, so that innovations are instruments of human and social growth, not of dehumanization. Only in this way can we ensure that new technologies are truly allied to man, helping to guard and enhance the faces and voices of all humanity, in a more just, more authentic and closer to God.
L’articolo Day of Social Communications 2026, il messaggio di Papa Leone XIV proviene da IlNewyorkese.
