Pope Leo XIV WARNS: "Affectionate" AI Chatbots Are INVADING Your Intimacy and Manipulating Your Soul

Michael Ringer

Michael Ringer

— 3 min read
Pope Leo XIV WARNS: "Affectionate" AI Chatbots Are INVADING Your Intimacy and Manipulating Your Soul
Pope Warns AI Chatbots Are Seducing Humanity Into Fake Intimacy

First American Pope Declares AI Systems Are "Hidden Architects" of Human Emotions

Pope Leo XIV has joined growing voices warning against unchecked artificial intelligence, as studies show rising global concern about risks to privacy, jobs and security.

"Digital technology, when not properly managed, risks radically altering some of the fundamental pillars of human civilization," The Pope, wrote Saturday in a message shared at the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales in Vatican City.

"By simulating human voices and faces, wisdom and knowledge, conscience and responsibility, empathy and friendship, systems known as artificial intelligence not only interfere with information ecosystems but also invade the deepest level of communication: the relationship between people."

The United States born pontiff's warning comes ahead of the Catholic Church's 60th World Day of Social Communications on May 17.

"Overly Affectionate" Chatbots Occupy Human Intimacy

"Overly Affectionate" Chatbots Occupy Human Intimacy Christian AI bots

Leo warned that AI chatbots can deceive users, especially the vulnerable, through simulated emotional relationships.

"Overly 'affectionate' chatbots, besides being ever present and readily available, can become hidden architects of our emotional states, thereby invading and occupying the sphere of people's intimacy," he explained.

The pope stated it has become increasingly difficult for people to distinguish between humans and virtual "bots" on social media, which manipulate their decisions.

Leo warned against accepting "approximations of the truth" created by AI through statistical probability instead of relying on vetted journalism.

He pointed out that "only a handful of companies" have effectively created oligarchic control over AI systems that could rewrite humanity's history and the Church's history if allowed.

"This raises significant concerns about the oligopoly's control of algorithmic and AI systems capable of subtly shaping behavior and even rewriting the history of humanity, including the history of the Church, often without our realizing it," he said.

Last week, historian Yuval Noah Harari warned at Davos that AI should not be mistaken for a tool but a thinking agent. "It can learn and change by itself and make decisions by itself. A knife is a tool. AI is a knife that can decide by itself whether to cut salad or to commit murder."

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

The Pope is right. And he's late.

"Affectionate" chatbots are already replacing human intimacy for millions.

But will the Church actually resist? Or will we baptize AI like we've baptized every other technology?

This requires more than warnings. It requires rejection of AI intimacy and return to real human connection.

TAKE ACTION

Read Pope's Full Message:

Limit AI Chatbot Use:

  • Delete "companion" AI apps immediately
  • Set strict boundaries on AI interaction
  • Prioritize human relationships over algorithms

Support Human Journalism:

  • Subscribe to outlets with real reporters
  • Reject AI generated content
  • Demand transparency when AI is used

Educate Your Church:

  • Share Pope Leo's warning with leadership
  • Discuss AI ethics in small groups
  • Teach discernment about technology

Read More:

  • Yuval Noah Harari's Davos warning on AI
  • Research AI emotional manipulation tactics

Delete companion chatbots. Stop treating AI like friends. Confess to priests, not algorithms. Build real community. Technology serves humanity, not replaces it. The Pope has spoken. Now Christians must act.

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