Pope Leo XIV has cautioned Catholic priests against using artificial intelligence to prepare sermons, saying the technology can never replace genuine faith or a personal relationship with God.
The Pope gave the warning during a closed-door meeting with clergy from the Diocese of Rome on Thursday, February 26, where he later answered questions from priests representing different age groups.
Responding to a parish priest’s question on how to remain effective in a postmodern culture without adopting outdated methods, the pontiff emphasized the importance of understanding one’s community. He noted that meaningful preaching begins with knowing the people a priest is called to serve.
Recalling a recent pastoral visit to Ostia, a coastal district of Rome, the Pope said ministers must first grasp the realities of their parishioners before attempting to address them spiritually.
He urged priests to remain cautious about the growing influence of technology, warning specifically against what he described as “the temptation to prepare homilies with artificial intelligence.”
According to him, preaching requires the exercise of human intellect and lived faith.
“The brain needs to be used… our intelligence must be exercised so as not to lose this capacity,” he said, stressing that a true homily involves sharing faith, something he insisted artificial intelligence cannot do.
The Pope also encouraged priests to actively engage young people beyond those already attending church, urging them to explore outreach initiatives through sports, arts, and cultural activities.
He highlighted rising loneliness among youth — intensified by the pandemic and excessive smartphone use — noting that many young people experience emotional distance and lack meaningful relationships.
The pontiff concluded that building authentic friendships is essential to pastoral work, saying that through shared human experience, young people can gradually be guided toward faith and deeper spiritual connection.