The Forging of Pope Leo XIV’s Tech and AI Mindset – And Why it Matters
By Paul Steidler: Look for Pope Leo XIV to weigh in often on AI issues, as he did two days ago in one of his first Papal talks, and for his views to be carefully evaluated by important U.S. policymakers. This includes devout Catholics in the Trump Administration who drive tech policy, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Andrew Ferguson, chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
In a May 10 address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV said he had chosen that Papal name because, like Pope Leo XIII, who championed the poor and working class and served from 1878-1903, there is another “great industrial revolution” that must be top of mind to the Church.
“In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her 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,” said Pope Leo XIV.
Leo XIV’s views on AI would be noteworthy regardless, given that he is the Pope and an American.
But the marker he has thrown down regarding his name and his deep personal knowledge of science and mathematics gives him added standing as the world wrestles with these issues.
Simply put, the Pope likes and deeply respects math and science. He graduated with a Mathematics Degree, the academic discipline that is the lifeblood of AI, from Villanova University in 1977. He then taught physics and mathematics at St. Rita High School in Chicago.
Pope Leo XIV is of the Augustinian order, and before him, the most renowned Augustinian was Friar Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics, who lived from 1822 to 1884. Mendel’s influence at Villanova is profound, as I know from personal experience, having graduated from there seven years after Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, did in 1977.
Mendel Hall is one of the most prominent buildings on campus. The building and the Augustinians’ relationship with Mendel were discussed during college tours, freshmen orientation, and many times afterward. Today, an imposing 12-foot statue of Mendel is outside the building.
Indeed, the Augustinian order has always been characterized by embracing reason and science to be fully compatible with Scripture, as St. Augustine taught. Villanova’s President, Rev. Peter Donohue, emphasized this in a press statement about the new Pope, “Villanova, built on the teachings of St. Augustine, has always been ground in advancing a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between faith and reason – between spirituality and wisdom.”
What does this likely mean today?
First, Pope Leo XIV likely does not fear AI and is certainly not a Luddite. In fact, he likely sees AI as having even greater benefits to humanity than the first industrial revolution.
He will not be a cheerleader, though, for what it may do in the future, let alone see it as the “silver bullet” to many of our problems today. Leo will especially want to ensure that workers benefit from it, the importance of which Vice President J.D. Vance also addressed at length on March 18.
Pope Leo XIV’s influence on AI may be especially important for calling out China’s harmful use of it, such as for surveillance and to help oppressive regimes stifle the aspirations much of the world has for political and religious freedom.
The world’s AI issues will be complex and challenging. Having a Pope with the foundational knowledge of AI and a deep respect for the disciplines of science and mathematics should benefit us all at this exciting, and challenging time.