Pope Francis has raised concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence and the spread of misinformation warning of their capacity to manipulate minds and destabilize societies, during his traditional New Year’s address to diplomats at the Vatican.
The 88-year-old pontiff known for his strong stance against fake news, described the dangers posed by modern communication tools, which he said could be exploited to fuel hatred and undermine global stability.
“This phenomenon generates false images of reality, a climate of suspicion that foments hate, undermines people’s sense of security, and compromises civil coexistence and the stability of entire nations, “Francis said in a speech read on his behalf due to his ill health.
The pope’s warning comes amid growing concerns worldwide over the ethical use of AI technologies and the role of social media platforms in spreading disinformation for political, economic, and ideological gains
Pope Francis’s address coincided with Meta’s decision to end its third-party fact-checking programme in the United States, replacing it with a crowd-sourced fact-checking model similar to Elon Musk’s approach on X (formerly Twitter).
Francis stressed the need for media literacy education to promote critical thinking, urging individuals to verify information and question online narratives before accepting them as truth.
“People must be taught to think critically and not be easily swayed by false information. Education is key to combating misinformation, which threatens peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Beyond technology, Pope Francis also addressed cancel culture, criticizing it for silencing differing opinions and prioritizing individual rights over collective responsibilities.
He condemned the trend of reinterpreting human rights treaties to push divisive ideologies, specifically calling out the framing of abortion as a “right” which he said contradicts the fundamental right to life
According to the pope, multilateral institutions like the United Nations risk becoming exclusive clubs that dismiss alternative perspectives, thereby threatening their ability to maintain global peace and stability.
Pope Francis emphasized the importance of unity and respect for diverse viewpoints, warning against the increasing fragmentation of society caused by polarized debates on issues like human rights, gender ideology, and cultural identity.
“Global peace and stability cannot be achieved if we exclude voices we disagree with. The world must learn to listen, understand, and respect diverse perspectives,” he said.
Although unable to deliver the speech in person due to a cold Pope Francis reiterated his call for critical thinking media responsibility, and dialogue in a world grappling with disinformation, technological ethics, and culture wars.
