Post by : Bianca
Haleem
In a historic live session with about 15,000 young attendees in Indianapolis, Pope Leo conveyed an important message: while artificial intelligence can enhance learning, it should never substitute personal engagement. “Avoid asking it to complete your assignments for you,” he advised the enthusiastic crowd from the Vatican during a 40-minute dialogue that marked the first youth-focused event of his papacy.
The pontiff recognized AI as “a major aspect of contemporary life,” and encouraged participants to view it as a support tool rather than an easy way out. His remarks resonated deeply with attendees from all over the country during the national Catholic youth conference.
During the interactive Q&A, Pope Leo addressed various topics, including academic life, friendships, and the distractions of the digital age. He stressed the significance of forging real relationships and warned against excessive reliance on online communication, asserting that faith and community thrive through authentic human connections.
He also briefly navigated the contentious immigration debate—an area where he has frequently disagreed with US President Donald Trump—urging unity instead. He remarked that Christians are designed to be “bridge builders, not wall builders,” echoing sentiments often voiced by the late Pope Francis.
Moreover, he cautioned youth against conflating faith with political ideologies. “Exercise caution in associating political concepts with faith,” he stated. “The Church isn't aligned with any political group; instead, it nurtures your conscience to empower thoughtful and loving actions.”
As the session concluded to applause, Pope Leo expressed gratitude to the youth for their inquiries and encouraged them to embody curiosity, empathy, and accountability—both in the digital world and beyond.
English
