Pope Leo XIV on Thursday banned Catholic priests from using artificial intelligence to write their sermons, declaring that no machine can ever truly share faith.
Speaking to clergymen from the Diocese of Rome during a closed-door meeting, the 70-year-old pontiff said priests must know their communities firsthand to connect with them.
“Truly knowing the community where I am called to serve” is the first step, he said, recalling a recent visit to Ostia, Rome, where he stressed, “To speak with these people, we must begin by knowing their reality as deeply as possible.”
Warning priests against relying on AI, the Pope said, “Like all the muscles in the body, if we do not use them, if we do not move them, they die. The brain needs to be used, so our intelligence must also be exercised a little so as not to lose this capacity.”
He drove home the message, saying, “To give a true homily is to share faith. AI will never be able to share faith.”
“If we can offer a service that is inculturated in the place, in the parish where we are working, people want to see your faith, your experience of having known and loved Jesus Christ,” Pope Leo added
