VATICAN CITY – On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV unveiled his vision for the papacy, highlighting artificial intelligence as a paramount issue confronting humanity while pledging to uphold some core initiatives championed by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Demonstrating that his papacy would have its unique character, Pope Leo XIV embarked on his first public journey since his election. He made a significant visit to a sanctuary located south of Rome, which holds particular significance to his Augustinian order and honors his namesake, Pope Leo XIII.
In Genazzano, locals gathered eagerly in the square of the main church, home to the Madre del Buon Consiglio sanctuary. Pope Leo greeted them graciously upon arrival. Managed by Augustinian friars, the sanctuary has attracted pilgrims since the 15th century. It was earlier elevated to a minor basilica under Pope Leo XIII, who also expanded the adjacent convent in the early 1900s.
Following his time in prayer within the church, Pope Leo addressed the gathered townspeople and emphasized the dual gift and responsibility inherent in having the Madonna present among them. After offering a blessing, he resumed his journey in a black Volkswagen. En route back to the Vatican, he made a poignant stop at St. Mary Major Basilica to pray at Pope Francis’ tomb.
This post-lunch excursion followed Pope Leo’s presiding over his inaugural formal audience with the cardinals responsible for his papal election. During this engagement, Leo frequently referenced Pope Francis and the Argentine pope’s mission statement from 2013, signaling a dedication to fostering a more inclusive Catholic Church that uplifts the faithful and prioritizes marginalized individuals.
As the first American pope, Leo reassured the cardinals of his unwavering commitment to the Second Vatican Council’s reforms, which revolutionized the Church in the 1960s. He cited the rising challenges posed by AI, underscoring concerns around human dignity, justice, and labor.
Hints of the direction of Leo’s papacy emerged when the Vatican disclosed that Leo would retain the motto and coat of arms he had used as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. These emblems emphasize unity within the church.
The motto “In Illo uno unum,” coined by St. Augustine, signifies unity among Christians through Christ. This symbolic representation of the Augustinian order features a flaming pierced heart and a book, an homage to the Scriptures.
The Vatican also shared insights into Pope Leo’s pectoral cross, gifted to him by the Augustinian order upon his appointment as cardinal in 2023. This cross contains the relics of both St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica, who played a vital role in his conversion to Christianity.
Reflecting on his name choice, Pope Leo referred to AI innovations parallel to the initiatives of his namesake, Pope Leo XIII. The latter laid the groundwork for modern Catholic Social Teachings, particularly with the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, advocating worker rights and critiquing both unregulated capitalism and state-centric socialism.
Identifying with his predecessor, Leo remarked, “In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”
Pope Francis, near the end of his leadership, voiced formidable concerns regarding AI’s potential threats, advocating for an international treaty to ensure its regulation.
Francis evidently viewed the Chicago-born Augustinian missionary, Robert Prevost, as his spiritual successor. Having moved him to lead a modest Peruvian diocese in 2014, Prevost ascended to bishop and subsequently helmed the Peruvian bishops’ conference. His influence expanded upon his Rome appointment in 2023, overseeing significant Vatican roles like bishop nominations.
During an address in the Vatican’s synod hall, distinct from the Apostolic Palace, Pope Leo expressed mourning over Francis’ passing and endorsed Francis’ foundational mission statement, “The Joy of the Gospel.” Highlighting the church’s missionary role, he stressed amplifying the leadership’s collegial nature and embracing the authentic voices of the faithful through popular piety.
The conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV swiftly concluded on only the fourth ballot, indicating remarkable consensus among cardinals despite the assembly’s unparalleled diversity. Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana reported that the final ballot saw Prevost secure more than 100 of 133 votes, considerably surpassing the required majority.
Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, previously a leading papal contender, extended his congratulations through a heartfelt note in Il Giornale di Vicenza. He praised Leo’s nuanced grasp of contemporaneous issues and cited Prevost’s effective leadership as a testament to his capability.
Parolin acclaimed Leo’s keen comprehension and respectful nature, heralding his approach as evident in “calmness in argumentation, balance in proposing solutions, respect, care, and love for everyone.”
The unfolding of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy will be one closely monitored, undoubtedly having a profound impact on the Church’s direction amid evolving global challenges.