Pope Leo XIV addressed growing anxieties surrounding artificial intelligence on September 28, 2026, asserting that concerns about the technology’s risks are legitimate and should not be dismissed. Speaking to journalists aboard his flight returning to Rome from France, the pontiff emphasized that ignoring potential dangers is not a responsible approach.
“To simply say, ‘Oh it’s not going to happen,’ and close our eyes to it is probably not the most responsive way to go about that,” Pope Leo XIV said during the airborne press conference. He clarified that while he takes these warnings seriously, he remains “relatively optimistic” that technology companies can implement necessary safeguards.
Balancing Caution with Hope
The pope’s comments came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations on September 22, where he dismissed AI risk claims and characterized regulatory efforts as a “globalist scheme.” In contrast to such skepticism, Pope Leo XIV stated he is not in “panic mode” regarding the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
“If someone would ask me, ‘Am I in panic mode?’ No, I’m not, I sleep at night,” the pope told reporters. He noted that he has engaged with political leaders, technology executives, and social organizations to discuss how society might navigate these emerging challenges responsibly.
Addressing Abuse in France
The pontiff’s remarks on technology followed a four-day apostolic journey to France, which included visits to Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes, and Metz. A significant portion of the trip focused on the Church’s response to sexual abuse within its ranks.
Pope Leo XIV met with seven survivors of sexual abuse by priests and other church workers in a 90-minute session. Several victims described “systemic abuse” during the encounter. The meeting occurred against the backdrop of a 2021 report commissioned by France’s bishops and religious orders, which estimated that 330,000 children were sexually abused by church personnel between 1950 and 2020.
The 2021 study concluded that institutional structures facilitated widespread abuse and cover-ups. Pope Francis had previously expressed doubts regarding the report’s methodology and canceled a planned meeting with the commission. Pope Leo XIV, however, engaged directly with survivors, stating that sexual abuse is “first and foremost a human problem.”
Political Concerns in Europe
During the flight back to Rome, the pope also addressed political developments in Europe, specifically expressing concern over the rise of far-right movements in Germany following recent state elections. He criticized the fusion of extreme political ideologies with religious identity.
Pope Leo XIV described the combination of far-right views with religion as “not an authentic expression of Christianity.” His comments underscored a broader ecclesial effort to distinguish Christian teaching from nationalist or exclusionary political agendas, even as he maintained a hopeful outlook on technological progress and social cooperation.