VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit Saturday to a sanctuary south of Rome that is dedicated to the Madonna and of significance to his Augustinian order.
Residents of Genazzano assembled in the town square outside the principal church which houses the sanctuary of Madonna del Buon Consiglio, as shown in broadcasts by Italy’s Catholic channel TV2000. People were anticipating Pope Leo emerging from the church to bless them following his devotional observances.
Leo previously visited the sanctuary, which is managed by Augustinian friars, last year, when he was a cardinal. It has been a place of pilgrimage since the 15th century.
Earlier on Saturday, the pope outlined his vision for his papacy, highlighting artificial intelligence as one of the most crucial issues confronting mankind. He also pledged to uphold several key focuses of Pope Francis’s agenda.
During his initial official meeting, Leo frequently referenced both Francis and the Argentine Pope’s mission statement from 2013. This highlighted his dedication to fostering a more welcoming and responsive Catholic Church that prioritizes inclusivity and pays special attention to marginalized members of society—the “least and rejected.”
Leo, the inaugural U.S. pontiff, informed the cardinals who had chosen him that he wholeheartedly supported the reforms initiated during the Second Vatican Council—the gatherings from the 1960s aimed at updating the Church. He pinpointed artificial intelligence as a key issue for mankind, noting that it presents difficulties in safeguarding human dignity, ensuring justice, and supporting employment.
As an indication of his priorities, the Vatican announced that Leo, who belongs to the Augustinian religious order, will keep the motto and coat of arms he previously used during his time as the Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. This motto, “In Illo Uno Unum,” was articulated by Saint Augustine in a sermon to convey that despite our being numerous Christians, through the one Christ, we become united as one.
Identifying with Pope Francis
Leo cited AI as an influence behind naming choices, noting that his namesake, Pope Leo XIII—who served as pope from 1878 to 1903—laid down foundational principles for contemporary Catholic social doctrine. This groundwork included his groundbreaking 1891 encyclical titled “Rerum Novarum,” where he tackled issues related to workers’ rights and capitalist practices during the early stages of the Industrial Revolution. In this document, the former pontiff condemned both unregulated capitalism and government-dominated socialism, thereby establishing a distinctively Catholic approach to economics.
During his comments on Saturday, Leo mentioned that he related to his predecessor, who tackled the significant social issue presented by the industrial revolution in the encyclical.
“In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its 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,” he said.
Towards the close of his tenure as pope, Francis started speaking more frequently about the dangers AI poses to humankind and advocated for a global agreement to oversee this technology. He cautioned that advanced tech could dehumanize interpersonal relationships, reducing them to nothing but calculations. Last year, during his address at the G7 leaders’ summit, he reiterated that AI should be centered around people. This way, choices regarding weaponry or even non-lethal devices would stay firmly with humans rather than being left to automated systems.
The late Argentine pontiff similarly utilized his 2024 yearly peace address to advocate for an international agreement aimed at ensuring artificial intelligence is created and employed with ethical considerations. He contended that a technology devoid of human virtues such as compassion, mercy, morality, and forgiveness poses too great a risk to develop without restraint.
In numerous respects, Francis viewed the Chicago-native Augustinian missionary Robert Prevost as a potential successor: In 2014, he transferred him to lead a minor Peruvian diocese, wherePrevost eventually assumed the role of bishop and chair of the Peruvian bishops’ conference before being summoned to Rome in 2023 to overseeone of the key Vatican departments responsible for reviewing episcopal appointments.
During the address presented in Italian at the Vatican’s synod hall—rather than the Apostolic Palace—Leo frequently alluded to Francis and the grief surrounding his passing. He regarded Francis’ 2013 mission document, “The Joy of the Gospel,” as guidance for himself akin to official directives.
He pointed out Francis’ emphasis on the church’s mission as a evangelizer and the necessity to adopt a more collaborative approach among leaders. He also highlighted the importance of listening closely to what believers express, particularly in genuine and all-encompassing ways such as folk devotions.
Once again, drawing from Francis’ 2013 mission statement, Leo highlighted the necessity for the Church to demonstrate “compassionate concern for the marginalized and outcast” and to courageously converse with today’s society.
A quick conclave
Welcomed with a standing ovation, Leo delivered his speech by reading from his pre-prepared remarks, glancing up infrequently. When he made his debut to the public on Thursday evening, Leo also relied on a carefully handwritten script that he likely composed either prior to his groundbreaking election or during the subsequent one to two hours. His ease was most evident when he spoke spontaneously in Spanish, though he kept those comments brief.
Prevost was chosen as the 267th pope on Thursday after just four ballots during the papal conclave, which was notably swift considering this assembly was both the biggest and widest-ranging ever held. Additionally, due to the extensive diversity among participants, many cardinal electors were unfamiliar with each other prior to their arrival in Rome.
Cardinals mentioned that Prevost did not deliver significant speeches during the preliminary talks before the conclave. He entered the conclave with the customary prohibition against selecting a U.S. pope due to America’s global dominance. However,Prevost was familiar to many of them.
It was mentioned that he left a mark in more intimate settings where English served as the primary means of dialogue within a gathering of 133 cardinals hailing from 70 different nations.
Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana informed journalists on Saturday that Prevost obtained “over” 100 votes in the last count. This indicates an unusually high margin, significantly surpassing the required two-thirds majority of 89 votes needed for election.
A remark from a competitor
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State—who was regarded as one of the leading candidates for the papacy—expressed his congratulations on Saturday through a letter featured in his local newspaper, Il Giornale di Vicenza.
Parolin commended Leo’s understanding of contemporary issues, remembering his initial remarks from the balcony where he emphasized the necessity for a peace that is both “undefensive and reconciling.” He expressed appreciation for Prevost’s guidance in Chiclayo, noting howPrevost adeptly managed a complex issue without providing specifics. This led Parolin to value Prevost’s oversight even more during their closer collaboration within the Vatican overseeing the bishops’ office.
Specifically, Parolin praised Leo’s understanding of people and situations, his “calmness in argumentation, balance in proposing solutions, respect, care and love for everyone.”
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Pope Leo XIV lays out his vision and identifies AI as a main challenge for humanity
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