Pope Leo XIV's Name Choice: A Nod to History, An Eye on AI

Vatican City—In a surprising yet poignant address, Pope Leo XIV revealed the reasoning behind his selection of the papal name. The newly elected pontiff explained that his choice was a tribute to Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903 and championed social justice during the Industrial Revolution. "Pope Leo XIII, in his historic encyclical Rerum Novarum, confronted the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution," Pope Leo XIV stated. This historical reference highlights the continuity of the Church's concern for social issues. However, the new Pope also acknowledged the influence of modern challenges. "Today, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of social teachings in response to another industrial revolution and to the developments of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor." The Pope's remarks underscore the Church's ongoing adaptation to contemporary societal shifts and technological advancements, offering a message of hope and relevance in a rapidly changing world.