The new Pope urges responsible communication and ethical use of artificial intelligence in his first address to the media
A new papal tone at the Paul VI Hall
In his first major public appearance before the press, Pope Leo XIV addressed a crowd of 5,000 media professionals in the Paul VI Hall. He thanked them for their “service to the truth” and delivered a powerful call for honest, constructive communication. His words struck a symbolic tone: “We live in difficult times to walk through and to tell. Let us live the times well, and the times will be good. We are the times.”
Rejecting the paradigm of war in language and images
The Pope warned against what he called the “paradigm of war” that extends beyond armed conflict into communication. “No to the war of words and images,” he declared, calling for a rejection of hostile, polarizing narratives. His message emphasized a style of discourse that builds bridges rather than walls, particularly in a world oversaturated with aggressive rhetoric and misinformation.
Only informed people can make free choices
One of the most impactful phrases from the Pope’s speech was: “Only well-informed people can make free choices.” With this, he reaffirmed his vision of press freedom as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. The media, according to Pope Leo XIV, must act as a beacon of discernment, not a factory of confusion, always guided by ethical responsibility.
A timely warning about artificial intelligence
Pope Leo XIV also addressed the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, urging caution and moral reflection: “We need responsibility and discernment.” He reminded those present that AI must serve humanity and not replace it, especially when it comes to something as sacred and delicate as the search for truth.
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