Pope Leo XIV tells children they don’t need a smartphone if their brain works

Pope Leo XIV addressed children at the Vatican’s summer camp, urging them not to rely heavily on smartphones or navigation systems while traveling. He recalled learning to read paper maps as a child and warned that over‑dependence on technology can lead to mistakes.

The pope recounted personal anecdotes where GPS and phone navigation led him onto the wrong road in Europe, Peru and even the United States, causing him to become stuck. He concluded, “I need no phone as long as my brain works,” encouraging young people to develop their own sense of direction and critical thinking.

His message was framed as a broader call to balance modern technology with traditional skills, emphasizing that mental faculties remain essential regardless of digital tools.