Pope Leo XIV has cautioned the faithful, particularly men, against forming emotional attachments with AI-generated companions, warning that such virtual relationships may lead to serious emotional and social consequences.
In his message for World Communications Day, the Pope highlighted the growing difficulty in distinguishing between human interaction and communication with artificial intelligences in today’s digital world. He emphasized the urgent importance of preserving human voices and faces, stating that without real human relationships, true friendship and meaningful connection cannot exist.
“Faces and voices are sacred,” Pope Leo XIV said, noting that digital technology risks undermining the very foundations of human civilization.
While acknowledging that AI chatbots can be entertaining, the Pope described them as potentially deceptive, especially for the most vulnerable individuals. He warned that AI systems, being always present and emotionally “affectionate,” can affect emotional well-being and intrude upon personal intimacy.
The Pope also cautioned that replacing human relationships with AI could harm not only personal lives but also the broader social, cultural, and political fabric of society. He criticized social media algorithms, noting that they encourage instant emotional reactions and weaken critical thinking, contributing to societal polarization.
Despite these warnings, Pope Leo XIV stressed that digital innovation should not be halted, but carefully guided with an awareness of its dual nature.
This message follows prior Vatican concerns about AI. In 2024, Pope Francis warned that simulative technologies become dangerous when they distort our relationships with reality and with one another, urging stricter regulation to prevent harmful and discriminatory effects.
