Pope Leo XIV warns of algorithms and false teachers

During the inauguration of the academic year for the Pontifical Universities of Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV delivered a homily emphasizing the need for critical thinking, memory, and reason. He warned against “false teachers” who exploit religious sentiments for personal interests and encourage the radicalization of faith at the expense of the Gospel.

The Pope addressed the challenges of the digital age, specifically cautioning against algorithms that compile data without wisdom. He urged students and researchers to practice a “hygiene of attention,” arguing that true intelligence requires memory and the ability to connect knowledge with human experience rather than merely processing information.

Leo XIV also called for an end to academic individualism, framing study as a communal service to faith, truth, and humanity. He encouraged the university community to engage with the global diversity present in their classrooms and to remain connected to the needs of the poor.