Pope Leo XIV Urges Banks to Put People Before Profits and Technology

Vatican City, May 16, 2026: Pope Leo XIV has called on banks and financial institutions to keep people at the centre of their systems and decision-making, warning against allowing technology and algorithms to replace human care and responsibility.

Addressing employees and representatives of various Italian banks at the Vatican on Saturday, the Pope stressed that banking must remain rooted in human values and guided by charity.

He said financial institutions should remember that “what enters a bank in the first instance is not capital, but people”, adding that behind financial figures are individuals, families and communities seeking support.

Highlighting the growing use of digital and technological systems in finance, Pope Leo warned against creating impersonal structures that leave people feeling isolated.

“In a context of increasing computerisation of financial tools, those who access services should not feel abandoned to the coldness of algorithmic systems,” he said, urging financial institutions to ensure human attentiveness remains central to their work.

Reflecting on the role of banks throughout history, the Pope noted that financial institutions have played a significant role in supporting entrepreneurship and economic development. He said they have also contributed to the redistribution of wealth and the promotion of the common good.

However, he cautioned that financial systems can follow two paths: they can either encourage fair sharing for the benefit of society or contribute to selfish accumulation that leads to inequality and poverty.

Pope Leo also emphasised that those working in finance have a responsibility not only to act ethically but also to guide society towards a responsible and morally sound use of resources.

He warned banks against becoming driven solely by material values and stressed that the human person must always remain at the centre of economic and financial activity.

The Pope praised banking institutions for their humanitarian and cultural initiatives and encouraged them to continue promoting solidarity and mutual support. He concluded by urging them to remain faithful to their values and ensure charity remains “the guiding principle” of their strategic decisions.

Pope Leo XIV Urges Banks to Put People Before Profits and Technology

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