Vatican City, 29 September 2025 – The Holy See has announced that the 60th World Day of Social Communications will be celebrated on 17 May 2026, with the theme: “Preserving human voices and faces.”
In a statement released by the Dicastery for Communication, the Vatican emphasized the need to safeguard the human dimension of communication in an era where technology and artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly shape interactions.
“Public communication requires human judgement, not just data patterns,” the statement read, stressing that while AI offers remarkable possibilities, it cannot replace the uniquely human capacities for empathy, ethics, and moral responsibility.
The communique also highlighted growing concerns over the misuse of AI, including the spread of disinformation, reinforcement of harmful stereotypes, and violations of privacy. It warned that over-reliance on AI risks weakening critical thinking and creative skills, while the concentration of control over such systems could deepen inequalities.
To address these challenges, the Vatican encouraged the introduction of “Media and Artificial Intelligence Literacy (MAIL)” in education systems, particularly for young people, to promote critical thinking and protect human dignity.
Pope Leo XIV, who has consistently spoken about the ethical use of technology since his election, reiterated that the Church must respond to this “new industrial revolution” by safeguarding the dignity of every person. “The benefits or risks of AI must be evaluated according to the superior ethical criterion of protecting human dignity and respecting the cultural and spiritual richness of peoples,” he said.
The World Day of Social Communications, established by Pope Paul VI in 1967, is the only worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican Council.
Source : Vatican News
