Sat May 10 15:10:00 UTC 2025: ## American Cardinal Elected Pope, Prioritizes AI Regulation and Social Justice
VATICAN CITY – Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born Augustinian, has been elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American pope in history. His election, on the fourth ballot of the conclave, was swift and decisive, with reports suggesting he received well over the required two-thirds majority.
In his first address to the College of Cardinals on Saturday, Pope Leo XIV outlined his vision for his papacy, echoing the priorities of his predecessor, Pope Francis. He pledged to continue Francis’ efforts towards a more inclusive and compassionate Catholic Church, focused on serving the marginalized. Significantly, Pope Leo identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a critical challenge facing humanity, mirroring Pope Francis’ late-career concerns.
The new pope emphasized the need to address the ethical implications of AI, particularly concerning human dignity, justice, and labor. He drew parallels between the industrial revolution and the current technological advancements, suggesting that the Church’s social teachings, much like Pope Leo XIII’s work on workers’ rights, must be applied to the AI age. This stance aligns with Pope Francis’ calls for an international treaty to regulate AI and ensure its ethical development.
Pope Leo XIV retained the motto “In Illo uno unum,” signifying unity in Christ, and will continue using his coat of arms from his time as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. He highlighted Pope Francis’ 2013 mission statement, “The Joy of the Gospel,” as a guiding principle for his papacy. His election is viewed as remarkably fast, considering the size and diversity of the conclave. While he didn’t actively campaign, his soft-spoken nature and clear communication in English are believed to have made a strong impression on the cardinals.
First Piper 