Pope Leo XIV urges youth to use AI and social media responsibly
Pope Leo XIV delivered a video message at the 2026 Halleluya Festival in Fortaleza, Brazil, warning that artificial intelligence and social‑media platforms can "immerse us in an unreal world" and urging young people to use these tools with moderation and discipline. He cited St Carlo Acutis as a model for employing digital technology while keeping Christ at the centre of life.
The pontiff also sent a written message, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to participants of the VII International Seminar on Church Communication in Santiago, Chile (27‑28 July 2026). The seminar, titled “The Challenges of Artificial Intelligence,” gathered communicators and church officials from Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss the ethical, cultural and religious implications of AI. In that note the Pope called for every technological instrument to be placed "at the service of truth and the common good" and referenced his May 2026 encyclical *Magnifica Humanitas* on AI.
These remarks were reported in multiple languages across Brazil, Chile, the Vatican and other outlets, underscoring the Pope’s global appeal to youth and church leaders on the responsible use of emerging technologies.
Entities: Archbishop René Osvaldo Rebolledo Salinas · Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib · Cardinal Pietro Parolin · Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin · Fortaleza · Gianni Abete · Halleluya Festival · Halleluya Festival · Italian Football Federation · Magnifica Humanitas · Pontifical Catholic University of Chile · Pope Leo XIV
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV urged young people to use social media and AI prudently, with moderation and discipline. (ab304632-eb43-4c12-9f97-2acd1e96fa71, 1a166a2a-ec5c-428e-b850-5ecb2390ff46)
- [● 2 SOURCES] He asked the Holy Spirit to guide participants to address AI challenges with wisdom and responsibility. (Pope Leo XIV)
- [● 2 SOURCES] He cited St Carlo Acutis as a model for using digital technology while keeping Christ central. (Pope Leo XIV)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The seminar titled “The Challenges of Artificial Intelligence” was held at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in Santiago on 27‑28 July 2026. (e43c2dcf-8f87-4479-a656-4a215be5f762)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV delivered a video message to participants at the 2026 Halleluya Festival in Fortaleza, Brazil. (ab304632-eb43-4c12-9f97-2acd1e96fa71, 1a166a2a-ec5c-428e-b850-5ecb2390ff46)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV delivered a video message at the Halleluya Festival in Fortaleza, Brazil. (ab304632-eb43-4c12-9f97-2acd1e96fa71, 1a166a2a-ec5c-428e-b850-5ecb2390ff46)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV sent a written message, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to participants of the VII International Seminar on Church Communication in Santiago, Chile (27‑28 July 2026. (e43c2dcf-8f87-4479-a656-4a215be5f762, b189ff18-41d8-439e-8764-2bd477683e22)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV urged that every technological tool serve truth and the common good. (Pope Leo XIV)
- [● 4 SOURCES] He delivered a video message at the Halleluya Festival in Fortaleza, Brazil, on 26 July 2026. (Pope Leo XIV)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV warned that social media and AI can immerse people in an unreal world. (Pope Leo XIV)
- [● 2 SOURCES] He sent a message to participants of the VII International Seminar on Church Communication in Santiago, Chile, titled “The Challenges of Artificial Intelligence”. (Pope Leo XIV)
- [● 4 SOURCES] He cited St Carlo Acutis as a model for using technology while keeping Christ central. (Pope Leo XIV)