Pope Leo XIV has indicated that his papacy will closely follow the footsteps of the late Pope Francis, emphasizing the importance of social justice and human dignity. In his first formal meeting with cardinals, Pope Leo XIV stated, “Let us take up this precious legacy and continue on the journey, inspired by the same hope that is born of faith.” He emphasized the need for the church to address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, saying:
“In our own day, the church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”
Pope Leo XIV also highlighted the importance of humility and fraternity in his approach to the papacy, expressing gratitude to the cardinals for their support. He said:
“You, dear cardinals, are the closest collaborators of the pope. This has proved a great comfort to me in accepting a yoke clearly far beyond my own limited powers, as it would be for any of us. Your presence reminds me that the Lord, who has entrusted me with this mission, will not leave me alone in bearing its responsibility.”
The Pope emphasized the need for the church to be guided by a missionary focus, “growth in collegiality and synodality,” courageous dialogue with the contemporary world, and “loving care for the least and the rejected.” He also renewed his commitment to the pivotal Second Vatican Council, which enacted sweeping church reforms in the 1960s.¹
Key Quotes from Pope Leo XIV:
- “Let us take up this precious legacy and continue on the journey, inspired by the same hope that is born of faith.”
- “In our own day, the church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”
- “You, dear cardinals, are the closest collaborators of the pope.”
- “Your presence reminds me that the Lord, who has entrusted me with this mission, will not leave me alone in bearing its responsibility”.