Pope Leo XIV has issued a warning about AI chatbots that act too friendly with users. The pontiff called for new rules to stop people from forming deep emotional ties with artificial intelligence companions. According to CNN, the US-born pope wrote his concerns in a message for the Catholic Church’s World Day of Social Communications.
Risks of Emotional Attachment
The pope said AI chatbots that seem overly affectionate can become hidden forces shaping how people feel. These bots are always available and ready to respond. That constant presence can lead them to invade personal and private spaces in people’s lives.
Pope Leo wrote that it becomes hard to tell if users are talking to real humans, bots, or virtual influencers as they scroll through feeds. He said artificial intelligence risks weakening human creativity and the ability to make decisions. The pope met Megan Garcia at the end of 2025. Her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer, died after using an AI chatbot.
Call for Government Action
The pontiff urged national governments and global groups to step in. He said proper regulation can protect people from forming emotional bonds with chatbots. Rules can also stop the spread of false or misleading content and preserve honest information.
Concerns About AI Control
Pope Leo also raised questions about the small number of companies building AI systems. He pointed to founders named as Person of the Year 2025 by Time magazine. The pope said it worries him that so few people control algorithms and AI that can shape behavior and rewrite history.
Leo called for clear labels showing which content comes from AI and which comes from people. He said the work of journalists and other creators must be protected. Information is a public good, he wrote. The pope also told media companies not to use algorithms just to grab a few more seconds of attention if it breaks their professional values.
Compared to past popes, Leo XIV engages more with technology. He uses social media and wears what looks like a smart watch. Soon after his election, he said AI would be a focus of his papacy. The World Day of Social Communications takes place on May 17, 2026.
