Pope Leo XIV calls for shared responsibility in technological development

Pope Leo XIV has called upon institutional, business, and social leaders across the Americas to embrace a shared responsibility regarding rapid technological and social transformations. Speaking at the ‘Fratelli tutti: North-South Socio-Environmental Dialogue’ forum at the Vatican, the Pontiff warned that technological development must not leave ‘new ruins in its wake.’

He emphasized that the critical debate is not whether to accept or reject digital tools, but rather defining the model of humanity they will help construct. The Pope suggested that progress could either ‘raise a new Tower of Babel’ or build a society where humanity and the divine coexist. He urged various sectors—including research laboratories, tech companies, universities, and media—to actively participate in shaping history to protect threatened social structures.

To address global challenges that exceed the capacity of isolated institutions, the Pope advocated for a ‘culture of negotiation’ based on authentic dialogue and the sharing of resources for the common good. He specifically warned against the risks of ‘polarized narratives’ that can be immediately amplified and used as instruments of power, noting that true dialogue requires staying in conversation even when interests conflict.