By Patrick Henz | Senior Contributor
Since the beginning of his new role, Pope Leo XIV has actively addressed both the opportunities and risks associated with Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing the importance of ethical governance. He highlights the societal benefits AI can offer while calling for the protection of vulnerable groups, especially youth, who are still in the process of forming their individual identities and spiritual outlooks.
In line with this perspective, the Pope acknowledges the positive contributions of AI to science and productivity, yet raises essential ethical questions related to truth, beauty, and the human capacity to perceive and interpret reality. His stance continues the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who laid important groundwork in this area. On January 1, 2025, the Vatican City State enacted the “Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence”, a decree that formalizes the Vatican’s position on AI ethics.
Under the Purpose and Scope section, the guidelines state:
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Although these guidelines are specific to the Vatican City State and not a religious doctrine per se, they are clearly informed by Catholic ethical principles. This follows earlier proactive efforts such as the Vatican’s collaboration with Microsoft and IBM to promote ethical AI practices. Echoing the Rome Call for AI Ethics, the guidelines affirm:
“AI systems must be conceived, designed, and implemented to serve and protect human beings and the environment in which they live. This foundational perspective must result in a commitment to foster living conditions—social and personal—that allow individuals and communities to fully realize their potential.”
During the Rome Call event, Father Paolo Benanti, a key voice in the Vatican’s AI discourse, underscored the urgency of embedding ethics into technological development. He emphasized that technology should reflect a “human surplus”, a concept that suggests innovation should amplify, not replace, human virtues. Benanti likened technology to language, saying:
“If in the modern age we recognized nature as written in mathematical language, today we are able to use this new language with a machine and thanks to machines.”
This view recalls the famous quote often attributed (though likely apocryphally) to Galileo Galilei: “Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe.” Galileo’s legacy remains a turning-point for the Catholic Church. Following his advocacy for heliocentrism, the notion that the Earth revolves around the Sun, the Church gradually embraced scientific tools within its religious spaces. Two historical examples in France reflect this shift:
Similar to the European Union’s AI Act, the Vatican’s guidelines prioritize human rights and expand the scope to include environmental sustainability. Comprising just 13 pages and 15 concise articles, the document is practical and accessible. It can serve as a useful reference for governments without their own local AI regulations, as well as for private organizations seeking ethical frameworks.
For those interested in implementing and managing such Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Systems, I provide further practical insights and real-world applications in my book:
“Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Systems – Conclusions from Workshops & Discussions.”
Patrick Henz is the Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance at a leading engineering and plant construction company. In this role, he drives an effective GRC system that holistically combines these subjects with integrity, respect, passion, and sustainability. His responsibilities include Business Resilience and Community Engagement. He actively promotes the idea of a holistic sustainability strategy, where GRC plays a key role, at university workshops and conferences.
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