Pope Leo XIV warns about AI in the Church: “Algorithms cannot replace prayer”

In a world increasingly dominated by automation, Pope Leo XIV has marked a firm stance against the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the spiritual realm. During a private meeting with priests of the Diocese of Rome a few days ago, the Supreme Pontiff issued a clear warning: technology should not replace the intellectual, spiritual and human exercise that pastoral life demands.

THE HOMILY IS NOT AN ALGORITHM

Given the growing trend of using technological tools to write sermons, the Pope was emphatic: preparing a homily is not a process of generating texts, but an act of faith. According to testimonies from those present at the Vatican, the central message was that preaching requires:

• Depth in the sentence: A connection that a machine cannot simulate.
• Community Knowledge: Understand the real joys and pains of the faithful.
• Critical thinking: A human reflection based on experience and compassion.

“Pastoral life requires real human presence; technology is a tool, but never a substitute for the spirit,” said the Pontiff.

THE 4 AXES OF THE PASTORAL MISSION IN 2026

The dialogue between the Pope and the Roman clergy was not only limited to AI, but also drew up a roadmap for the current challenges of the Church through four fundamental pillars:

1. Youth evangelization: A call to offer authentic testimonies that connect with the new cultural realities of young people.
2. Community Immersion: The Pope asked priests to be actively involved in the social and cultural life of their neighborhoods and parishes.
3. Priestly Fraternity: Foster unity and mutual support among members of the clergy to strengthen the institution.
4. Care of the elderly: An invitation to create networks of closeness to accompany elderly priests and combat loneliness in the ministry.

THE CHALLENGE OF AI IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

Leo XIV’s message comes at a time of global debate about the limits of AI. By foregrounding human spiritual accompaniment, the Church seeks to protect the essence of the priesthood: the ability to empathize, console and guide through physical presence and the testimony of life.

For the Vatican, technology can be an ally in spreading the message, but the “heart of the mission” remains, and must remain, irreplaceable by any data processor.