• Pope Leo XIV calls AI one of the most pressing issues for humanity.
• The pontiff ties his name choice to Pope Leo XIII’s teachings on social justice during the Industrial Revolution.
• AI poses new challenges for human dignity and justice, according to the new pope.
• Pope Francis's concerns about AI's ethical implications are echoed by Leo XIV.
• The Vatican continues to prioritize discussions on technology's moral impacts.

Pope Leo XIV, in his inaugural address to the College of Cardinals, highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as a primary challenge facing humanity. He stressed the Church’s responsibility to respond to modern developments while adhering to its teachings. Drawing parallels with the historical context of the Industrial Revolution, he stated, "In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution," referencing the transformative societal effects of AI on human dignity and labor rights according to Indiatimes and South China Morning Post.

The new pope's choice of the name Leo signifies his commitment to continuing the teachings of Pope Leo XIII, particularly concerning social justice in the face of technological changes. He emphasized that the current Church offers responses to issues raised by AI, akin to the guidance provided during the industrial age. "The Church... offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching," Leo XIV remarked, aligning his vision with his predecessors while reinforcing the notion that AI necessitates careful moral consideration according to AA and Business Insider.