Summary
During his daily Masses on May 12, 2014, Pope Leo made a thought-provoking remark suggesting that if Martians were to request baptism, he would baptize them. This off-the-cuff statement drew controversy and led to various questions about the possibility of baptizing aliens, with some speculating whether computers or AI systems should be baptized as well. The issue became a concern for Pope Leo even before his election in 2013. In December 5, Pope Leo emphasized that despite AI’s potential for creativity, it raises serious concerns about humanity’s openness to truth and beauty. He noted that merely accessing vast amounts of data does not equate to deriving meaning from it. The pope highlighted the need for a willingness to confront the mystery and core questions of existence, even when these realities are marginalized or ridiculed by prevailing cultural models. Pope Leo chose his name “Leo” in line with this concern about humanity’s openness to truth and beauty. Since then, AI has grown exponentially, prompting ongoing debates on its implications for human values and spirituality.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Pope Leo, Artificial intelligence
