Remembering Pope Francis' Final Plea On AI & Compassion: 'Technology Must Serve Humanity'

Pope Francis, the 88-year-old spiritual leader who redefined the papacy with humility, reform, and a rare willingness to confront modern dilemmas, has passed away, the Vatican announced on Monday. His death came just a day after he made a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday, waving to thousands from the popemobile in St. Peter’s Square. He also met privately with US Vice President JD Vance — a quiet but poignant end to a pontificate marked by bold stances and tireless advocacy for the marginalised.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, confirmed the Pope’s passing from the Casa Santa Marta.

A Papacy That Broke Tradition

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis made history when he became the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium. He chose simplicity over grandeur, residing in modest quarters instead of the Apostolic Palace. Known for his progressive views, he often stirred political debate by speaking out on climate change, LGBTQ inclusion, migration, and the death penalty.

Yet even as he embraced the modern world, Francis remained deeply anchored in timeless values.

'Something’s Wrong If We Spend More Time On Our Cell Phones Than With People'

In what now reads like a parting warning, the Pope dedicated his final monthly prayer intention in April to the ethical use of technology. “Technology is the fruit of the intelligence God gave us,” he acknowledged in a video message, “but something’s wrong if we spend more time on our cell phones than with people.”

He cautioned against the erosion of real human relationships due to excessive screen time, and warned that when technology isolates rather than connects, it breeds hatred, cyberbullying, and inequality. He urged that tech be used “to help those in need, improve the lives of the sick, foster a culture of encounter, and protect the planet.”

Francis's final appeal was to balance innovation with empathy: “Look less at screens,” he said, “and look each other in the eyes more.”

'We Remain Responsible': Pope’s Message on AI and Accountability

In a recent address to the Fourth Latin American Conference on AI and child protection, Pope Francis called for urgent responsibility in the use and development of artificial intelligence.

“When we use or design AI, we must remember that we remain responsible,” he said. While acknowledging the complexity of the subject, he warned of the false comfort that synthetic content offers: “The fact that our own hands did not produce these materials… may create the illusion that we are not the ones ‘doing’ something shameful.”

Comparing the reckless use of AI to speeding in a powerful car, Francis reminded the world that machines act on human commands — they do not decide on their own. He stressed that both users and developers must be held accountable and called for clear regulations to prevent the misuse of AI.

“Truth — Truth with a capital T — which is Jesus Christ,” he added, “will always remain relevant and valid for reflection on any subject that presents itself as new.”

A Final Message for a Digital Age

As the world mourns his passing, Pope Francis leaves behind a legacy that merged compassion with courage, and spirituality with sharp insight into the moral risks of modern life. His last messages serve as a powerful reminder that technology, no matter how advanced, must always remain in service of the human spirit.

“I pray to God to sustain all efforts aimed at eradicating this scourge from society,” he said in closing his message to the AI conference, “and to bless the initiative you are promoting and the fruits it is meant to bear.”

Pope Francis is gone, but his call for a more humane and mindful digital future will echo long after his final prayer.

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