Pope Leo XIV warned that social media and emerging technologies amplify prejudice and erode critical thinking during a visit to Madrid, Spain [1, 2].
The warning highlights the Catholic Church's growing concern over how digital algorithms and artificial intelligence may undermine human dignity and social cohesion.
Speaking May 22, 2026, the pope said that leaders are using divisive narratives to weaken the dignity of individuals [2]. He said that the rise of chatbots and social media platforms has contributed to a climate of polarization that prioritizes bias over objective truth [2].
This address occurred three days [2] before the scheduled publication of a formal encyclical on artificial intelligence, which was set for May 25, 2026 [2]. The upcoming document is expected to provide a comprehensive theological and ethical framework for the use of AI in society.
The pope said that the protection of human dignity requires a concerted effort to prevent the erosion of critical thinking [1, 2]. He said that the current technological trajectory risks isolating individuals within ideological bubbles, a process that further cements existing prejudices [1].
While this specific warning focused on technology in Spain, other recent addresses by the pontiff have targeted the abuse of power. In separate warnings delivered Dec. 10 and Dec. 28, the pope said that unscrupulous power figures are like the biblical figure Herod [3, 4].
“Social media and emerging technologies amplify prejudice.”
By linking technological advancement to the erosion of critical thinking and human dignity, Pope Leo XIV is positioning the Church as a moral arbiter in the AI era. The timing of these warnings suggests that the forthcoming encyclical will not merely be a technical guide, but a critique of how digital tools are being weaponized by political leaders to polarize global populations.
