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Herald Malaysia
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV on AI: ‘All of us are concerned for children and young people'
Pope Leo XIV has issued a fresh warning about the negative effects that artificial intelligence (AI) can have on the 'intellectual and neurological development' of rising generations, along with a call to confront the 'loss of the sense of the human' that societies are experiencing. Jun 23, 2025 Credit: LookerStudio/Shutterstock By Victoria Cardiel Pope Leo XIV has issued a fresh warning about the negative effects that artificial intelligence (AI) can have on the 'intellectual and neurological development' of rising generations, along with a call to confront the 'loss of the sense of the human' that societies are experiencing. 'All of us, I am sure, are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development,' the Holy Father said in a Friday message to participants at the second annual Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Corporate Governance, held June 19–20 in Rome. 'Our youth must be helped, and not hindered, in their journey toward maturity and true responsibility,' he indicated. He continued that young people are the 'hope for the future' and that the well-being of society 'depends upon their being given the ability to develop their God-given gifts and capabilities.' Thus, according to the message made public by the Vatican Press Office, the Holy Father assured that while never before has a generation had 'such quick access to the amount of information now available through AI,' this should not be confused with the ability to understand the workings of the world. 'Access to data — however extensive — must not be confused with intelligence,' he said. He added: 'Authentic wisdom has more to do with recognizing the true meaning of life than with the availability of data.' Similarly, he warned that AI can also be misused 'for selfish gain at the expense of others, or worse, to foment conflict and aggression.' At the beginning of his message, written in English, the pontiff stressed the 'urgent need' for 'serious reflection and ongoing discussion on the inherently ethical dimension of AI as well as its responsible governance.' Leo XIV was particularly pleased that the second day of this meeting took place in the Apostolic Palace and assured that it was 'a clear indication of the Church's desire to participate in these discussions.' The pontiff echoed the words of his predecessor, Pope Francis, in recalling that, despite being 'an exceptional product of human genius, AI is above all else a tool.' Therefore, 'tools point to the human intelligence that crafted them and draw much of their ethical force from the intentions of the individuals that wield them,' he underscored. Pope Leo went on to point out that, in many cases, AI has been used 'in positive and indeed noble ways to promote greater equality.' For example, in the uses it has been put to in the field of health research and scientific discovery. The Holy Father stressed that the evaluation of the benefits or risks of AI must be made 'in light of the 'integral development of the human person and society,' as noted in the recent Vatican document Antiqua et Nova . 'This entails taking into account the well-being of the human person not only materially but also intellectually and spiritually; it means safeguarding the inviolable dignity of each human person and respecting the cultural and spiritual riches and diversity of the world's peoples,' Leo insisted. In the face of enthusiasm for technological innovations, the pope warned against a loss of sensitivity to the human. 'As the late Pope Francis pointed out, our societies today are experiencing a certain 'loss, or at least an eclipse, of the sense of what is human,'' he recalled. In this regard, Leo made clear the role of the Catholic Church in weighing the ramifications of AI in light of the 'integral development of the human person and society.' Leo XIV also expressed his hope that the meeting's deliberations would include reflection on intergenerational roles in ethical formation. 'I express my hope that your deliberations will also consider AI within the context of the necessary intergenerational apprenticeship that will enable young people to integrate truth into their moral and spiritual life,' he concluded.--CNA
Herald Malaysia
29-05-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
A practical guide to obtaining an apostolic blessing from Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV is now granting apostolic blessings to the faithful around the world, a spiritual gesture that can be officially requested through the Vatican's Apostolic Almoner's Office. May 29, 2025 Pope Leo XIV speaks in front of the famous icon at the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, on Saturday, May 10, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media By Victoria Cardiel Pope Leo XIV is now granting apostolic blessings to the faithful around the world, a spiritual gesture that can be officially requested through the Vatican's Apostolic Almoner's Office. These blessings, printed on parchment, are a well-established tradition in the Catholic Church and are available for significant moments in Christian life such as the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and marriage. As indicated on the website of the Vatican Apostolic Almoner's Office, the procedure for obtaining an apostolic blessing can be completed in two ways: in person at the offices of this department or through an online form. Those who choose the in-person method should go to the offices located within Vatican City, entering through the Porta di Sant'Anna, to the right of the colonnade in St. Peter's Square. Office hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time. For those not in Rome, the digital process is equally accessible. Through the official website of the Apostolic Almoner's Office — the only authorized site for this purpose — applicants must follow several steps. The first step is to select the occasion for which the blessing is being requested (such as a baptism, marriage, or anniversary); then, choose the style of parchment; then, enter the information that should appear on the document; and finally, register the applicant, choose the delivery method (local pickup in Rome or shipping via DHL Express), and make a donation by credit card (only Visa and MasterCard are accepted). The requested information includes the full name of the recipient(s) of the blessing, the specific occasion, the date and location of the event (in the case of sacraments or anniversaries), as well as the sender's complete address, email address, and phone number. The system also allows users to open a personal account for future requests. Once the transaction is confirmed, the Apostolic Almoner's Office will send a confirmation email with the estimated delivery or pickup date. The processing time for the request is approximately 25 days if picked up at the Vatican office and 30 days for international deliveries. The cost of the parchment ranges between 20 and 30 euros ($23-$34), depending on the style, plus shipping costs, which vary depending on the destination, from 15 euros ($17) for destinations within Italy to 40 euros ($45) if sent to Africa. It is worth noting that, after deducting the processing and shipping costs, all proceeds go entirely to the charitable works carried out by this office in the name of the pope to help those most in need. Regarding valid occasions for requesting the apostolic blessing, the almoner's office establishes strict criteria. They are granted for sacraments such as baptism, first Communion, confirmation, marriage, ordination to the priesthood or permanent diaconate, and religious profession. They are also available for significant anniversaries of these occasions and for birthdays marking decades or particularly significant ages (such as 18, 30, 75, or even 100 years). In some cases, such as wedding anniversaries or birthdays, the applicant is asked to provide a 'declaration of suitability' attesting that the recipients are practicing Catholics. Applications by regular mail, fax, or email are not accepted, and any requests made outside of authorized channels will be automatically rejected. Obtaining an apostolic blessing is not only a symbolic gesture of communion with the successor of Peter but also direct support for the charitable works the pontiff carries out on behalf of the entire Church.--CNA
