A Simple Statement, Loaded with Profound Implications

While the world continues to debate how to regulate AI, the Catholic Church — an institution with over 2,000 years of history — sends a clear signal: we cannot talk about the future without also addressing the spiritual, the human, and the ethical.

What Does It Mean That a Decision as Symbolic as the Pope’s Name Was Influenced by Artificial Intelligence?

According to León XIV himself, AI was part of a consultative process that evaluated the historical and symbolic weight of his choice, seeking a name that could speak to today’s challenges. He chose “León” in honor of León XIII, who faced the social issues of the Industrial Revolution with a modern vision, drawing a parallel: today we are living through a new revolution — the digital one — which also demands ethical guidance.

“Just as León XIII spoke about social justice during the industrial transformation, we speak about algorithmic justice in times of artificial intelligence.” — León XIV

The Church and AI: Evolution or Contradiction?

For centuries, the Church has adopted technology to spread its message: the printing press, radio, film, social media. Now artificial intelligence enters the scene, not just as a tool, but as a subject of ethical reflection.

And this is where the story goes beyond the anecdotal.

What Can This Teach Us in the Professional World?

In corporate, political, and social contexts, we often see AI as efficiency, automation, or competitive edge. But are we talking enough about its moral impact?

That an institution like the Vatican begins to integrate AI not just to optimize tasks, but to make symbolic decisions is an invitation:

• To place ethics at the center.
• To consider the effects of our technologies on humanity.
• To build a future where innovation doesn’t erase our roots, but amplifies them.