The pontiff marked World Communications Day by urging technology to remain centered on human dignity.<\/p>\n
VATICAN CITY \u2014 Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged Catholics and communicators to promote forms of communication that respect the truth of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence, while also calling for renewed care for creation and peace as Laudato Si\u2019 Week begins.<\/p>\n
Speaking after praying the Regina Caeli May 17 from the window of the Apostolic Palace, the pope noted that many countries were marking World Communications Day, whose theme this year, he said, is \u201cPreserving Human Voices and Faces.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this era of artificial intelligence, I encourage everyone to commit themselves to promoting forms of communication that always respect the truth of the human person, on which every technological innovation should be focused,\u201d Pope Leo XIV said.<\/p>\n
The appeal comes as the Vatican is preparing for the pope\u2019s first encyclical, expected to treat extensively the ethical and social questions raised by artificial intelligence through the lens of Catholic social teaching.<\/p>\n
The pope also marked the start of Laudato Si\u2019 Week, which runs through next Sunday and is dedicated to the care of creation, inspired by Pope Francis\u2019 2015 encyclical.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this jubilee year of Saint Francis of Assisi, we recall his message of peace with God, with our brothers and sisters, and with all creatures,\u201d he said. \u201cSadly, in recent years, due to wars, progress in this direction has been greatly impeded.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Leo encouraged the members of the Laudato Si\u2019 Movement and all those who promote an \u201cintegral ecology\u201d to renew their commitment, adding: \u201cIndeed, caring for peace is caring for life!\u201d<\/p>\n
In his catechesis before the Marian prayer, the pope reflected on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, celebrated Sunday in many countries.<\/p>\n
The image of Jesus \u201clifted up from the earth and ascending toward heaven,\u201d he said, may make the mystery seem like \u201ca distant event from long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYet this is not so, for we are united to Jesus as the members of one body united to the head,\u201d Pope Leo said. \u201cBy ascending into heaven, then, he draws us with him toward full communion with the Father.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quoting St. Augustine, the pope said that \u201cthe head\u2019s advance is the hope of the members.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christ\u2019s whole life, he continued, is \u201ca movement of ascent,\u201d through which he embraces the world, redeems humanity from sin, and brings \u201clight, forgiveness and hope where previously there was darkness, injustice and desperation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ascension, therefore, does not speak to us of a distant promise, but of a living bond, which draws us also toward heavenly glory, already elevating and expanding our horizon in this life and directing our way of thinking, feeling and acting more closely to the measure of God\u2019s heart,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The pope said this path of ascent is found in Christ\u2019s life, example, and teaching, and is also marked out by the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints.<\/p>\n
He also recalled Pope Francis\u2019 teaching on the saints \u201cnext door\u201d \u2014 ordinary fathers, mothers, grandparents, and people of every age and condition who \u201cwith joy and commitment, make the effort to live sincerely according to the Gospel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith them, with their support and thanks to their prayer, we too can learn to ascend day by day toward heaven,\u201d Pope Leo said.<\/p>\n
The pope urged Christians, with God\u2019s help, to put into practice all that they have \u201cheard and seen,\u201d so that the divine life received in baptism may grow and \u201cspread the precious fruits of communion and peace in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMay Mary, the Queen of Heaven, who illuminates and guides us in every moment, support us on our path,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
At the end of the Regina Caeli, the pope greeted pilgrims from Rome and abroad, including marching bands from Germany, the \u201cSant\u2019Antonu di u Monti\u201d Confraternity from Ajaccio, students from the University of Montana, young people from Oppido Mamertina, youth leaders from Lorenzaga in the Diocese of Concordia-Pordenone, and confirmation candidates from the Archdiocese of Genoa.<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0in\u00a0two parts\u00a0by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n