Holy See Secretary of State Pietro Parolin cautioned against fragmented national approaches to artificial intelligence regulation during a conference at the Italian parliament on September 16.

Addressing the gathering titled “Faith and Reason in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Cardinal Parolin emphasized the necessity of collective action. He expressed concern that some nations are attempting to manage these powerful technologies independently rather than through coordinated international frameworks.

“My concern is that there are countries which, in fact, want to go it alone,” Parolin said.

The Secretary of State praised Italian President Sergio Mattarella for urging states and supranational bodies to exercise responsibility in governing new technologies. Parolin noted that establishing common rules requires the involvement of all stakeholders, rather than isolated efforts by individual governments or private entities.

While major technology companies have recently called for regulatory oversight, Parolin downplayed proposals for a centralized international board to oversee artificial intelligence. He explained that the Holy See typically focuses on setting out ethical principles rather than prescribing immediate technical solutions.

Parolin also shared his personal perspective on the limitations of AI in pastoral ministry. He stated that he does not use artificial intelligence to draft his homilies because the technology lacks emotional depth.

“Artificial intelligence is all head and no heart,” Parolin said. “I try to put a little heart into my homilies.”

Beyond technology, the Cardinal addressed ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He acknowledged that the results of the Holy See’s humanitarian diplomacy have been “rather limited” thus far.

Parolin declined to provide details on when Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who began a peacebuilding mission last summer, might travel to Russia. However, he reiterated the Vatican’s longstanding position that Moscow should not be isolated and that maintaining channels for dialogue remains essential for peace.

The Secretary of State also declined to comment on recent remarks by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding Russian ultra-nationalists.