Vatican City: In a landmark address to Italy’s Security Intelligence System, Pope Leo XIV called on members of the country’s intelligence community to anchor their work in ethics, placing human dignity at the forefront of national security. Speaking at the Vatican on Friday, the Pope emphasized that the pursuit of peace must never compromise fundamental rights or the truth.
Marking the centenary of Italy’s first coordinated intelligence service, established in 1925, Pope Leo recalled how the early efforts laid “the foundations for building a more effective and coordinated system, aimed at safeguarding the security of the State.” One hundred years later, he noted, the tools and capabilities of intelligence agencies have expanded dramatically, but so have the moral responsibilities and potential risks inherent in their work.
Pope Leo highlighted the crucial role of intelligence professionals in protecting the nation. “You are entrusted with the serious responsibility of constantly monitoring the dangers that may threaten the life of the Nation, in order above all to contribute to the protection of peace,” he said. He acknowledged that much of their work is carried out behind the scenes, anticipating crises before they erupt, yet stressed that discretion must never become a justification for misuse or abuse of power.
“Professionalism in intelligence must be accompanied by a firm ethical outlook, beginning with respect for the dignity of the human person,” the Pope said. He underscored that even when the common good appears urgent, ethical limits must never be bypassed. Collecting information inevitably affects individual rights, making proportionality, legal clarity, and oversight indispensable.
The Holy Father stressed that intelligence activities must operate under strict legal frameworks, subject to judicial scrutiny, and maintain transparent financial governance. National security, he affirmed, can never come at the expense of fundamental rights, including private and family life, freedom of conscience and information, and the right to a fair trial.
Addressing the challenges of the modern information environment, Pope Leo warned against the misuse of data and communication. In a world overwhelmed by rapid information exchange, he noted the dangers of misinformation, manipulation, and exploitation of the vulnerable. Confidential information, he insisted, must never be used to intimidate, manipulate, or discredit public figures, journalists, or civil society actors.
He further cautioned that the Church itself can sometimes become a target of intelligence operations with wrongful intent, emphasizing the need for “a high moral stature” among both new recruits and seasoned professionals. The Pope highlighted the ethical responsibility to prevent intelligence from being weaponized, particularly in ways that undermine trust, freedom, or human dignity.
Pope Leo paid tribute to intelligence officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. “Their dedication may not be recorded in newspaper headlines, but it lives on in the people they helped and in the crises they helped to resolve,” he said, underscoring the quiet heroism that often goes unrecognized.
Concluding his address, the Pope expressed gratitude for the role of Italy’s intelligence services in safeguarding not only the nation but also the Holy See and Vatican City State. He encouraged agents to approach their vocation with discernment and balance, always prioritizing the common good while remaining firmly anchored to ethical and legal principles that uphold the dignity of every human being.
Pope Leo XIV’s address reinforced a vision of intelligence as a vocation of service one that safeguards peace and security while remaining committed to morality, legality, and the intrinsic value of human life.