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ISTANBUL (AA) - Pope Leo XIV has called on the international community to establish coordinated frameworks and ethical governance for artificial intelligence, urging that the technology be used in the service of humanity and peace.

In a message delivered Thursday by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the UN’s AI for Good Summit in Geneva, the pope stressed that AI must be managed ethically and anchored in the recognition of human dignity and fundamental freedoms.

"I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to seek ethical clarity and to establish a coordinated local and global governance of AI, based on the shared recognition of the inherent dignity and fundamental freedoms of the human person," the message read.

The AI for Good Summit, organized by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union and co-hosted by the Swiss government, brings together representatives from governments, technology companies, academia, and civil society to explore how AI can address global challenges.

Warning that humanity stands at a critical crossroads in this “era of profound innovation,” Pope Leo underscored the urgent need to reflect on the ethical implications of AI technologies that are increasingly capable of acting autonomously.

"As AI becomes capable of adapting autonomously to many situations by making purely technical algorithmic choices, it is crucial to consider its anthropological and ethical implications, the values at stake and the duties and regulatory frameworks required to uphold those values," the message noted.

The pope emphasized that ethical responsibility lies not only with AI developers and regulators, but also with its users. “AI requires proper ethical management and regulatory frameworks centered on the human person, and which goes beyond the mere criteria of utility or efficiency,” he said.

Citing St. Augustine’s concept of the “tranquility of order,” Pope Leo said AI should contribute to building “peaceful and just societies in the service of integral human development and the good of the human family.” St. Augustine’s “tranquility of order” is the idea that true peace arises when all things are rightly arranged according to their purpose, creating harmony and stability.

While acknowledging that AI can advance sectors such as health care, education, governance, and communication, the Pope warned that it cannot replace moral judgment or human connection. “It cannot replicate moral discernment or the ability to form genuine relationships,” he said.

He concluded by urging that AI development be guided by conscience, responsibility, and the pursuit of the common good.

“It requires discernment to ensure that AI is developed and utilized for the common good, building bridges of dialogue and fostering fraternity,” the pope said.