- 06 October, 2025
Vatican City, October 6, 2025 — In the second part of a wide-ranging interview featured in León XIV: ciudadano del mundo, misionero del siglo XXI (“Leo XIV: Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century”), Pope Leo XIV discussed his priorities for Christian unity, interreligious dialogue, and the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence. The new biography by Crux correspondent Elise Ann Allen was published in Spanish by Penguin Peru, with English and Portuguese editions expected in early 2026.
On the question of ecumenism, Pope Leo reaffirmed his commitment to advancing unity among Christians, calling division “one of the deepest wounds in the life of the Church.” He said that the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea offers a symbolic opportunity to bring together Christian leaders from various denominations, noting that Nicaea represents a shared profession of faith before historical divisions.
The pope also revealed plans to travel to Nicaea in late November, expressing hope that the meeting will serve as an ecumenical gathering with participation from leaders across Christian communities. He has already met several patriarchs, including representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, and expressed his desire to “build bridges” even amid ongoing geopolitical and ecclesial tensions.
Pope Leo highlighted the search for a common date for Easter as one practical area of ecumenical cooperation, though he acknowledged that differences between the Gregorian and Julian calendars make progress complex.
Turning to interfaith relations, the pope noted signs of improvement in the Church’s engagement with the Jewish community, emphasising the shared roots of Christianity and Judaism. He also praised Pope Francis’s efforts in fostering dialogue with Islam, calling such initiatives essential “for the good of world peace.” The pontiff has met representatives of various Muslim and Buddhist groups, advocating for “mutual respect and understanding” while reaffirming his own faith in Jesus Christ as central to his mission.
Addressing the rise of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo warned of the dangers of losing sight of human dignity in a rapidly advancing digital age. He said the Church must “speak up” when technology risks overshadowing humanity, adding that “our lives make sense not because of artificial intelligence, but because of human beings and encounter.”
He expressed concern over misinformation and deepfakes, recounting a recent incident where an AI-generated video falsely showed him falling down stairs. “Facts are facts,” he stressed, rejecting the notion of “alternative facts” and declining permission for the creation of an AI “virtual pope.”
While acknowledging the benefits of AI in medicine and science, Pope Leo cautioned against allowing technology to “create a fake world” detached from truth. He urged influencers and communicators to prioritise honesty and real human connection over the spread of falsehoods.
Reflecting on his election during the Jubilee of Hope, the pontiff described his early months as a “pilgrimage of death and new life,” saying he feels guided by the Holy Spirit despite global conflicts. “There’s something going on in the midst of the Jubilee year,” he said, “people are discovering hope in their lives and want to be part of that.”
Source : CRUX.”
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