VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo advised about 15,000 U.S. youths on Friday that while artificial intelligence (AI) can be a helpful learning tool, it should not be used to complete homework assignments. Speaking during a live video session from the Vatican to a national Catholic youth conference in Indianapolis, the pontiff emphasized responsible use of AI as a way to grow intellectually and spiritually.
“Using AI responsibly means using it in ways that help you grow,” Pope Leo said. “Don’t ask it to do your homework for you.” The session marked the first large-scale interaction between the pope and American youth during his six-month papacy.
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During the roughly 40-minute discussion, Leo also answered questions about the Catholic faith and offered guidance on forming friendships in school. He highlighted that technology, while powerful, should support personal development rather than replace effort and learning.
The U.S.-born pope briefly touched on politics, warning against conflating faith with political affiliations. “Please be careful not to use political categories to speak about faith, to speak about the Church,” he said. “The Church doesn’t belong to any political party. Rather, she helps form your conscience … so you can think and act with wisdom and love.”
Invoking the late Pope Francis’ criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration stance, Leo encouraged young Christians to be “people who build bridges instead of walls,” reinforcing the Church’s focus on compassion and moral responsibility over partisan politics.