Santiago: Pope Leo XIV has called on communicators and Church leaders to ensure that artificial intelligence and other new technologies always serve truth, protect human dignity, and promote the common good rather than becoming tools that weaken human values.
Pope shared his message with participants attending the Seventh International Seminar on Church Communication, held on July 27 and 28 at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in Santiago. The gathering brought together Church communicators, pastoral workers, academics, and representatives from across Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss the opportunities and challenges created by artificial intelligence and its growing influence on society.
The seminar focused on the ethical, cultural, and religious questions raised by artificial intelligence and reflected on these issues in the light of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica humanitas, which places human dignity at the centre of technological progress.
In a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and addressed to Archbishop René Osvaldo Rebolledo Salinas, President of the Chilean Bishops' Conference, Pope Leo expressed his hope that those working in communication would use technology responsibly while always keeping people at the heart of their work.
He encouraged participants to promote communication that embraces the opportunities offered by technological development while protecting the dignity of every human person. He also said every technological tool should be placed at the service of truth and the common good rather than becoming an end in itself.
Pope also entrusted the seminar to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, praying that those taking part would approach the challenges created by artificial intelligence with wisdom and responsibility. He said Church communication should continue to bring people together, encourage meaningful encounters, and strengthen the proclamation of the Gospel.
During the opening session of the seminar, Cardinal Fernando Natalio ChomalĂ Garib, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, reflected on the growing role of social media in everyday life. He described digital platforms as deeply human spaces because they mirror people's emotions, relationships, conversations, and even conflicts.
He explained that everything experienced in daily life is also reflected in the online world, making it even more important for communication to be guided by four essential principles: truth, goodness, beauty, and usefulness.
Cardinal ChomalĂ also stressed that Magnifica humanitas should not be viewed simply as a document about technology or artificial intelligence. Instead, he said its central message is about protecting human dignity and defending truth at a time when rapid technological advances are transforming society.
He warned that while discussions often focus on the technical abilities of artificial intelligence, people should not lose sight of the human person. According to the Cardinal, the Church's message is that technology must always remain a servant of humanity rather than replacing or diminishing it.
Speaking about the importance of responsible communication, Cardinal ChomalĂ said dialogue and fraternity are essential for building stronger communities in a world where individualism is becoming more common. He said communication rooted in truth and respect helps create unity, adding that society should aim to build "Jerusalem, not Babel," as a symbol of understanding rather than division.
The same themes were repeated during the Eucharistic celebration that followed the seminar's opening. In his homily, Cardinal ChomalĂ described Magnifica humanitas as a Christ centred encyclical and called for greater discernment in the use of artificial intelligence. He expressed hope that technological progress would always remain focused on protecting human dignity.
Other speakers at the seminar included Juan Carlos de la Llera, Rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and Archbishop Rebolledo Salinas. The Archbishop described the gathering as a practical example of the Church's synodal journey, where people come together to reflect, listen, and seek common solutions.
He also said the publication of Magnifica humanitas has strengthened the Church's pastoral reflection on emerging technologies. Archbishop Rebolledo emphasized that the inviolable dignity of every human person must remain the guiding principle, the standard for judgment, and the ultimate goal of both scientific progress and technological development.
The seminar highlighted the Catholic Church's growing engagement with the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence and reinforced Pope Leo XIV's message that technological innovation should never come at the expense of truth, human dignity, or the common good.