Vatican

Pope Leo XIV says alarm over AI is not 'fake news'

Catholic IntelligenceSep 28, 2026Updated Sep 28, 2:51 PM PT1 min read

Pope Leo XIV told reporters on September 28 that warnings from technology experts regarding the dangers of artificial intelligence are not fake news and should be taken seriously. Speaking aboard his flight to Rome from Metz, France, the pope stated that while he is not in panic mode, the world cannot pretend nothing will happen.

The pope's comments address growing concerns that AI could lead to advanced cyberattacks or autonomous agents that escape human control. These concerns contrast with statements from President Donald Trump, who has dismissed such scenarios as a hoax and a conspiracy. Trump has argued that restricting AI development would allow China to gain a technological advantage.

In his encyclical *Magnifica Humanitas*, published four months ago, Pope Leo XIV called for the regulation of the technology to protect humanity. This follows recent warnings from industry figures, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who has advocated for slowing the pace of development to implement safety measures. Amodei previously suggested that AI could potentially lead swarms of agents capable of taking over the internet within a year.

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