Pope Leo’s AI Advice for American Youth Goes Viral

In an unprecedented live video interaction with nearly 15,000 young people gathered in Indianapolis, Pope Leo delivered a clear and relatable message: artificial intelligence may be a powerful tool for learning, but it should never replace personal effort. “Don’t ask it to do your homework for you,” he told the cheering audience, speaking from the Vatican in a 40-minute session that marked the first youth-focused dialogue of his six-month papacy.

The pope acknowledged that AI has quickly become “one of the defining features of our time,” and encouraged students to treat it as a guide rather than a shortcut. His comments appeared to strike a chord with many in the crowd, who joined from across the United States for the national Catholic youth conference.

During the Q&A, Pope Leo also spoke candidly about school life, friendships, and staying grounded in an age of constant digital distraction. He urged the youth to build real connections and not rely solely on online interactions, emphasizing that faith and community grow stronger through genuine human presence.

Touching briefly on the political debate surrounding immigration—an area where he has often disagreed with US President Donald Trump—Leo repeated a familiar call for unity. He said Christians are meant to be “people who build bridges instead of walls,” echoing a line long associated with the late Pope Francis.

At the same time, he encouraged young people not to mix faith with political labels. “Please be careful not to use political categories to speak about faith,” he said. “The Church doesn’t belong to any political party. She helps form your conscience so you can think and act with wisdom and love.”

The session ended with applause as Pope Leo thanked the youth for their questions and urged them to carry forward a spirit of curiosity, compassion, and responsibility—both online and offline.