Pope Leo XIV live updates: Pontiff says AI is main challenge for humanity as he sets out vision of his papacy
LIVE – Updated at 15:12
Pope Leo XIV has laid out the vision of his papacy, saying the Catholic Church must continue the "precious legacy” of his predecessor.
In his first meeting with all the cardinals since his election as pontiff, Leo repeatedly cited Francis’ 2013 mission statement, making clear a commitment to making the Catholic Church more inclusive , attentive to the faithful and a church that looks out for the "least and rejected.”
He identified AI as one of the main issues facing humanity, saying it poses challenges to defending human dignity, justice and labour.
Leo referred to AI in explaining the choice of his name: His namesake, Pope Leo XIII, was pope from 1878 to 1903 and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought.
The late pope criticised both laissez-faire capitalism and state-centric socialism, giving shape to a distinctly Catholic vein of economic teaching.
“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 defence of human dignity, justice and labour,” Leo said.
Key Points
- Pope Leo tells cardinals they must continue 'precious legacy' of Pope Francis
- Leo identifies AI as a main challenge for humanity
- Pope Leo XIV's schedule for first week as pontiff
- Pope Leo accused of not properly investigating allegations of sex abuse
- Watch: Pope Leo XIV delivers first homily
- Trump reckons with a ‘liberal’ American leader he can’t trash-talk
In pictures | Pope Leo's first address to Catholic cardinals
13:48 , Jabed Ahmed
Leo identifies AI as a main challenge for humanity
13:43 , Jabed AhmedPope Leo XIV has identified artificial intelligence as one of the most critical matters facing humanity.
In his first formal audience, he identified AI as one of the main issues facing humanity, saying it poses challenges to defending human dignity, justice and labour.
Leo referred to AI in explaining the choice of his name: His namesake, Pope Leo XIII, was pope from 1878 to 1903 and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought.
He did so most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers’ rights and capitalism at the dawn of the industrial age.
The late pope criticized both laissez-faire capitalism and state-centric socialism, giving shape to a distinctly Catholic vein of economic teaching.
In his remarks Saturday, Leo said he identified with his predecessor, who addressed the great social question of the day posed 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 defence of human dignity, justice and labour,” he said.
Toward the end of his pontificate, Francis became increasingly vocal about the threats to humanity posed by AI and called for an international treaty to regulate it.
Cardinal Prevost put his head in his hands as papacy loomed
13:28 , Jabed AhmedAs US Cardinal Robert Prevost realised during the secret conclave that he might be elected the next Catholic pope, he put his head in his hands at the daunting prospect of leading the 1.4-billion-member Church, a cardinal has said.
New Jersey Cardinal Joseph Tobin, one of the other 132 clerics locked inside the Sistine Chapel with Prevost for the conclave, said he looked at the future pope during one of the last ballots.
"I took a look at Bob, because his name had been floating around and he had his head in his hands," Tobin said, using Prevost's nickname.
"I was praying for him, because I couldn't imagine what happens to a human being when you're facing something like that."
"And then when he accepted, it was like he was made for it," said Tobin.
"Whatever anguish was resolved. I think … God had made something clear and he agreed with it."
Pope Leo tells cardinals they must continue 'precious legacy' of Pope Francis
13:27 , Jabed AhmedPope Leo XIV has signaled he would continue with the vision and reforms of Pope Francis, telling the world's Catholic cardinals the late pontiff left a "precious legacy" that they must continue.
In his first meeting with all the cardinals since his election as pontiff on 8 May, Leo also asked the senior clerics to renew their commitment to major Church reforms enacted by the landmark Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.
Leo said Francis, who died on 21 April and broadly had a vision of opening the staid 1.4-billion-member Church to the modern world, had left an "example of complete dedication to service."
"Let us take up this precious legacy and continue on the journey," the new pope instructed the cardinals.
The pontiff also asked the clerics to "renew together our complete commitment" to the reforms enacted by the Council, which included celebrating the Mass in local languages rather than Latin and pursuing dialogue with other religions.
He cited Francis' focus on "courageous and trusting dialogue with the contemporary world in its various components and realities."
Watch | Cardinal Dolan says Robert Prevost will make a 'darn good pope'
12:59 , Jabed AhmedICYMI | White House says there is no bad blood between Trump and new Pope
12:28 , Jabed AhmedThe White House says there is no bad blood between Donald Trump and the new pope, Leo XIV, despite the latter’s apparent criticism of JD Vance previously.
In a briefing on Friday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated a post by the president on Truth Social on Thursday, in which he hailed Leo.
“He is very proud to have an American pope,” Leavitt in response the prior social media posts. “It’s a great thing for the United States of America and for the world, and we are praying for him.”
As a cardinal, Leo – previously Cardinal Robert Prevost – posted online challenging the vice president’s interpretation of Catholic theology.
Pope Leo accused of failing to properly investigate allegations of child sexual abuse
11:59 , Jabed AhmedPope Leo has been accused of failing to properly investigate allegations of child sexual abuse against priests in his churches in Chicago and Peru.
Tom Watling reports:
Pope Leo accused of not properly investigating allegations of child sexual abuse
ICYMI | Harry Styles was spotted in the crowd as Pope Leo XIV was elected
11:29 , Jabed AhmedHarry Styles was spotted among the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican as Pope Leo XIV was elected as the late Pope Francis ’s successor.
A photo emerged of the One Director star among the crowds wearing sunglasses, a blue jacket, and a grey baseball cap emblazoned with the message: “Techno is My Boyfriend.”
Fans are, predictably, going wild over the photo.
Our Music Editor Roisin O’Connor reports:
Harry Styles fans go wild as pop star spotted at the Vatican
Vatican confirms Pope Leo XIV’s schedule for his first week as pontiff
11:00 , Rhian LubinThe Vatican has released Pope Leo XIV’s schedule for his first week as pontiff, per The Associated Press:
- Saturday May 10 he will meet with the Cardinals
- Sunday May 11 he is set to deliver his first noon blessing from the loggia
- Monday May 12 he has an audience with the media
- Friday May 16 he will meet with global diplomats
- Sunday May 18 he will celebrate his first Mass at St. Peter’s Square
- Wednesday May 21 he will holds his first general audience
The new Pope has also been invited to travel to Turkey at the end of May to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea – a landmark event in Christian history and an important moment in Catholic-Orthodox relations.
What's in a name? Pope Leo XIV’s name choice ‘signals he will continue work of Francis’
10:00 , Rhian LubinA Vatican spokesman confirmed Leo is a reference to Leo XIII – the last pontiff to have the name – who was head of the Catholic Church from 1878 to 1903.
Leo XIII laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought, most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers’ rights and capitalism at the dawn of the industrial age.
Leo could also refer to Brother Leo, the 13th century friar who was a great companion of St Francis of Assisi, it was claimed.
By choosing such a name, the new Pope could be signalling a strong continuity with Francis, who named himself after the saint.
Read on...
Pope Leo XIV’s name choice ‘signals he will continue work of Francis’
Cardinal reveals how close real conclave was to the film
09:37 , Jabed AhmedOld comments from Pope Leo disappoint LGBTQ+ activists
09:04 , Jabed AhmedPope Leo XIV, in remarks in 2012 when he was the Augustinian prior general in Chicago, made comments critical of what he called the “homosexual lifestyle” and the role of mass media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships that conflicted with Catholic doctrine.
The remarks were “disappointing,” said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, a US-based group that advocates for greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the church.
“We pray that in the 13 years that have passed, 12 of which were under the papacy of Pope Francis, that his (Leo’s) heart and mind have developed more progressively on LGBTQ+ issues, and we will take a wait-and-see attitude to see if that has happened,” DeBernardo said in a statement.
A 2012 video provided to Catholic News Service, the news agency of the U.S. bishops conference, featured Prevost's address to the World Synod of Bishops against the backdrop of images from popular TV series and movies.
“Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general public enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel, for example, abortion, homosexual lifestyle, euthanasia,” Prevost said.
He singled out “how alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children are so benignly and sympathetically portrayed in television programs and cinema today.”
JD Vance - 'I try not to play the politicization of the Pope game'
09:00 , Rhian LubinVice President JD Vance has said that he tries “not to play the politicization of the Pope game” after it emerged Pope Leo XIV publicly criticized him.
In February, Leo shared an opinion piece from the National Catholic Reporter, titled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
He was referring to comments the vice president made about Christians needing to “prioritize” their love.
“I’m sure he’s going to say a lot of things that I love. I’m sure he’ll say some things that I disagree with,” Vance told conservative commentator and radio host Hugh Hewitt Friday. “But I’ll continue to pray for him and the Church despite it all and through it all.”
Vance, who is a Catholic convert, added: “My attitude is, you know, the Church is about saving souls, and about spreading the Gospel. And yeah, it’s going to touch public policy from time to time as all human institutions do, but that’s not really what it’s about.”
Recap | Faith, power and missionary work: Pope Leo's first homily
08:47 , Jabed AhmedPope Leo XIV touched on faith, power and corruption in the homily of the first Mass he celebrated after being elected pontiff.
In impeccable Italian, Leo decried that in today's world "there are many contexts in which the Christian faith is considered something absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Contexts where other certainties are preferred, such as technology, money, success, power, pleasure.
“These are environments where it is not easy to bear witness to, and announce, the Gospel, and where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied.
“Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where mission is urgently needed. Because the lack of faith often carries with it tragedies such as the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, violations of human dignity in the most dramatic manners, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society.”
Papal name historically signifies strength during crisis, Catholic commentator says
08:35 , Jabed AhmedThe election of American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has come as a surprise, Catholic priest and blogger Ed Tomlinson said.
“It seems likely to be a continuation of Francis’s liberalisation,” he told The Independent.
As for his choice of Papal name, Tomlinson said it had a long history.
“The papal name Leo unsurprisingly shows a Pope who is going to be strong during a time of crisis, historically,” he said.
The last pope to choose the name Leo was more than 100 years ago. Pope Leo XIII led the Church from 1878 to 1903. The first pope of the name, Pope Leo the Great, led the church from 440-461.
Pope Leo XI had one of the shortest pontificates in history, lasting less than a month - from 1 April 1605 until his death on 27 April 1605.
Owner of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home pulls it off the market
08:00 , Rhian LubinThe owner of Pope Leo XIV’s childhood Chicago home quickly pulled the listing Thursday after hearing that Robert Prevost had been elected pope, according to Curbed .
Pope Leo’s home where he grew up with his two brothers in Dolton, Illinois, had been for sale for $199,900.
Now, that figure could change according to the listing agent Steve Budzik, who said the house could even become a “museum or viewing center.”
“Every idea’s up in the air right now,” he told the outlet.
New Pope Leo is gentle, calm and unifying, says UK cardinal
07:33 , Jabed AhmedThe new Pope is a “citizen of the world” and the moment he accepted his election inside the secret conclave meeting brought “elation”, a cardinal who was there has said.
The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, spoke of a “quite remarkable spirit of fraternity” during the time he and 132 others were sequestered away from the world to elect the new leader.
Cardinal Nichols, who is the Archbishop of Westminster, described Pope Leo XIV as gentle and calm, as well as decisive and unifying.
He told reporters in Rome: “He’s been a teacher, he’s been a diocesan bishop, he’s been a member of the Roman Curia.
“That’s a combination of talents that, I think, once it emerged and we’d reflected on the life of the Church, made it pretty clear that here was a man who was bringing the right depth and breadth of experience to the papacy.”
Watch: Cardinal Dolan jokes New Yorkers need to take it easy on Chicago's Pope Leo
07:00 , Rhian LubinReal conclave was nothing like the film, says cardinal
06:00 , Aine FoxThe conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV was “fraternal” in atmosphere without the high drama of the award-winning film of the same name, a cardinal on the inside has said.
Conclave, released late last year just months before the real-life secret meeting of cardinals in Rome this week, imagined the tension, bureaucracy, twists and turns behind the secret meeting to elect a new leader of the Catholic Church.
But Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of Catholics in England and Wales who was taking part in his first conclave, insisted reality could not have been further from the silver screen drama.
Read more.
White Sox fans pay tribute to Pope Leo XIV at baseball game
05:01 , Rhian LubinWhite Sox fans were celebrating Pope Leo XIV at a baseball game in the city on Friday.
The team’s official X account shared a photo of a fan dressed as a pope in tribute to the pontiff, who is a Sox fan.
“Proud moment for Chicago,” White Sox manager Will Venable said before Friday night’s game against Miami . “It’s awesome.”
It was initially reported that the new pope was a Cubs fan. The team congratulated Pope Leo XIV in a post on X that had a picture of Wrigley Field’s iconic marquee with the message: HEY, CHICAGO. HE’S A CUBS FAN!
Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan — and the organization is embracing the occasion
03:54 , APIt's the biggest victory for the struggling Chicago White Sox in a long time.
Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan — and the organization is embracing the news.
His brother, John Prevost, said the Chicago-born missionary cheered for the White Sox.
“Proud moment for Chicago,” White Sox manager Will Venable said before Friday night’s game against Miami . “It’s awesome.”
It was initially reported that the new pope was a Cubs fan. The team congratulated Pope Leo XIV in a post on X that had a picture of Wrigley Field’s iconic marquee with the message: HEY, CHICAGO. HE’S A CUBS FAN!
Read on.
Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan — and the organization is embracing the occasion
Sketch: Woke Pope? Trump reckons with a ‘liberal’ American leader he can’t trash-talk
02:20 , Richard HallWere Donald Trump ’s ears burning as the cardinals gathered in conclave at the Sistine Chapel? Is it inconceivable that the president’s name was uttered in hushed tones in some corner of the historic sanctuary, under Michelangelo's Adam, to sway a vote in favor of an American ?
It’s of course a liberal fantasy to think that Pope Leo XIV was elected head of the ancient Catholic Church to handle the fleeting earthly man in the White House, but President Trump will nonetheless have to reckon with a fellow American, a leader on the world stage, who has spoken out against his policies and will likely continue to do so from perhaps the only bully pulpit to rival the Resolute Desk, writes Richard Hall.
Read the full sketch below.
Woke Pope? Trump reckons with a ‘liberal’ American leader he can’t trash-talk
ICYMI watch: Pope Leo XIV delivers first homily
01:20 , Rhian LubinOwner of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home pulls it off the market
Saturday 10 May 2025 00:50 , Rhian LubinThe owner of Pope Leo XIV’s childhood Chicago home quickly pulled the listing Thursday after hearing that Robert Prevost had been elected pope, according to Curbed .
Pope Leo’s home where he grew up with his two brothers in Dolton, Illinois, had been for sale for $199,900.
Now, that figure could change according to the listing agent Steve Budzik, who said the house could even become a “museum or viewing center.”
“Every idea’s up in the air right now,” he told the outlet.
Vatican shares official record confirming Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost
Saturday 10 May 2025 00:20 , Rhian LubinPope Leo spent first night as pope visiting former colleagues
Friday 9 May 2025 23:50 , Rhian LubinPope Leo XIV paid a visit to his previous residence, the Sant’Uffizio Palace, and surprised his former colleagues on his first night as pontiff.
King Charles III sent private congratulations to Pope Leo XIV
Friday 9 May 2025 23:44 , Rhian LubinThe King has sent a private message to Pope Leo XIV, congratulating him on his election as the 267th pontiff and Bishop of Rome, Buckingham Palace said.
JD Vance - 'I try not to play the politicization of the Pope game'
Friday 9 May 2025 23:24 , Rhian LubinVice President JD Vance has said that he tries “not to play the politicization of the Pope game” after it emerged Pope Leo XIV publicly criticized him.
In February, Leo shared an opinion piece from the National Catholic Reporter, titled: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
He was referring to comments the vice president made about Christians needing to “prioritize” their love.
“I’m sure he’s going to say a lot of things that I love. I’m sure he’ll say some things that I disagree with,” Vance told conservative commentator and radio host Hugh Hewitt Friday. “But I’ll continue to pray for him and the Church despite it all and through it all.”
Vance, who is a Catholic convert, added: “My attitude is, you know, the Church is about saving souls, and about spreading the Gospel. And yeah, it’s going to touch public policy from time to time as all human institutions do, but that’s not really what it’s about.”
ICYMI: Harry Styles was spotted in the crowd as Pope Leo XIV was elected
Friday 9 May 2025 22:50 , Rhian LubinHarry Styles was spotted among the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican as Pope Leo XIV was elected as the late Pope Francis ’s successor.
A photo emerged of the One Director star among the crowds wearing sunglasses, a blue jacket, and a grey baseball cap emblazoned with the message: “Techno is My Boyfriend.”
Fans are, predictably, going wild over the photo.
Roisin O’Connor reports.
Harry Styles fans go wild as pop star spotted at the Vatican
Pope Leo accused of failing to properly investigate allegations of child sexual abuse
Friday 9 May 2025 22:20 , Rhian LubinPope Leo has been accused of failing to properly investigate allegations of child sexual abuse against priests in his churches in Chicago and Peru .
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests says it made the Vatican aware of Robert Prevost’s reported inaction on the allegations when he was a cardinal, filing an official complaint with Vatican officials against him in March. The group says it has not had a response.
The allegations focus on Leo not opening a formal church investigation into claimed sexual abuse carried out by two priests in the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, which the pontiff led from 2014 to 2023, as well as allowing a priest accused of sexually abusing children in Chicago to live near a school.
Tom Watling reports.
Pope Leo accused of not properly investigating allegations of child sexual abuse
Vatican confirms Pope Leo XIV’s schedule for his first week as pontiff
Friday 9 May 2025 21:49 , Rhian LubinThe Vatican has released Pope Leo XIV’s schedule for his first week as pontiff, per The Associated Press:
- Saturday May 10 he will meet with the Cardinals
- Sunday May 11 he is set to deliver his first noon blessing from the loggia
- Monday May 12 he has an audience with the media
- Friday May 16 he will meet with global diplomats
- Sunday May 18 he will celebrate his first Mass at St. Peter’s Square
- Wednesday May 21 he will holds his first general audience
The new Pope has also been invited to travel to Turkey at the end of May to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea – a landmark event in Christian history and an important moment in Catholic-Orthodox relations.
Dalai Lama sends well wishes, says Pope Leo's election 'brings new hope'
Friday 9 May 2025 21:10 , Isabel KeaneThe Tibetan Buddhist leader on Friday sent well wishes in a letter to Pope Leo XIV.
“When the world is witnessing so many challenges, your election brings new hope not just to the Catholic community, but to people everywhere who are seeking a happier life in a more compassionate, peaceful world,” he wrote.
In the letter, the 14th Dalai Lama also expressed his pleasure at having met several of Pope Leo XIV’s predecessors and expressed his commitment to fostering inter-religious harmony.
Pope Leo is a 'somewhat surprising' choice: Official at the world's only Edmundite college
Friday 9 May 2025 20:41 , Isabel KeanePope Leo XIV is a “somewhat surprising” choice as pontiff, according to an official at the world’s only Edmundite college.
Father David Theroux, the vice president of Edmundite Mission at St. Michael’s College, said it was a shock the conclave chose an American to fill the role.
“The choice of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV is somewhat surprising — not because of who he is or what he has done in his ministry — but because the expectation was that an American would not be chosen as the next pope,” Theroux said.
Theroux noted Pope Leo XIV’s similarities to his predecessor but said faithful should not expect him to “upend traditional Catholic teaching.”
“Like Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV believes in dialogue with others who hold differing beliefs,” he said.
In comments, Theroux later noted that the Pope would now have to answer to a worldwide church -- instead of just his former ministry in Peru.
“This could very well change Pope Leo XIV's perspective and understanding of what he is called to do.”
Pope Leo watched Conclave movie and played Wordle before being elected new pontiff, brother reveals
Friday 9 May 2025 20:20 , Mike BediganPope Leo spent the days leading up to the secretive vote in the Vatican that would make him the first American head of the Catholic Church watching the film Conclave so he knew what to expect, his brother has revealed.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, emerged on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Thursday night as the 267th pontiff, following four rounds of voting during the conclave.
Tom Watling has the full story:
Pope Leo watched Conclave movie days before historic Vatican vote, brother reveals
White House says there is no bad blood between Trump and new Pope
Friday 9 May 2025 20:00 , Mike BediganThe White House says there is no bad blood between Donald Trump and the new pope, Leo XIV, despite the latter’s apparent criticism of JD Vance previously.
In a briefing on Friday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated a post by the president on Truth Social on Thursday, in which he hailed Leo.
“He is very proud to have an American pope,” Leavitt in response the prior social media posts. “It’s a great thing for the United States of America and for the world, and we are praying for him.”
As a cardinal, Leo – previously Cardinal Robert Prevost – posted online challenging the vice president’s interpretation of Catholic theology.
Villanova University celebrates alumnus Pope Leo XIV
Friday 9 May 2025 19:40 , Mike BediganVillanova University has congratulated its alumnus, Robert Prevost on his election as pope.
Leo completed his undergraduate studies at Villanova, in Pennsylvania, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977.
Watch: Cardinal Dolan says Robert Prevost will make a 'darn good pope'
Friday 9 May 2025 19:20 , Mike BediganUS cardinals celebrate to ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ and ‘American Pie’
Friday 9 May 2025 19:00 , The Associated PressSpeakers blasted the songs as the U.S. electors shared their thoughts on the first American-born pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost – now Pope Leo XIV.
“I took a look at Bob and he had his head in his hands and I was praying for him,” said Cardinal Joseph Tobin – Archbishop of Newark – describing the moment when he cast his vote in the Sistine Chapel. “And then when he accepted, it was like it was made for him.”
The cardinals met on a stage decorated with the Stars and Stripes and a Vatican flag at the Pontifical North American College.
Some said Prevost’s U.S. nationality wasn’t a factor. They were most concerned with “who among us can bring us together, who among us can strengthen the faith and bring the faith to places where it has grown weak,” Cardinal Wilton Gregory said.
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