Pope Leo XIV to Communications Leaders: Put Truth, Relationships, and the Overlooked at the Center as AI Spreads
Pope Leo XIV urged Catholic journalists and media leaders to double down on truth, human connection, and the voices we tend to miss as AI rewires how we communicate. His message, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was addressed to the Fédération des Médias Catholiques ahead of the Saint François de Sales gathering in Lourdes (Jan. 21-23).
"We urgently need to return to what matters most: matters of the heart, the centrality of good relationships, and the ability to connect with others without excluding anyone." He framed this as "the service to truth that Catholic media can offer everyone, including those who do not believe."
The pope called communications professionals to be "sowers of good words," amplify voices that "courageously seek reconciliation," and help "disarm hearts filled with hatred and fanaticism" in a world he described as "fragmented and polarized." He also asked media to act like "antennas" for "the experiences of the vulnerable, the marginalized, those who are alone - and those who need to discover the joy of feeling loved."
Why this matters for PR and communications
Trust is scarce, attention is scattered, and AI makes volume cheap. That puts a premium on editorial discipline, human judgment, and the courage to feature people who rarely get the mic.
The call is simple: center relationships, tell the truth without spin, and build formats that surface reconciliation over outrage. Do that consistently and your brand earns permission to speak when it counts.
Practical steps you can implement now
- Set AI guardrails: Disclose when AI assists, keep a human in the loop, and require source-backed verification before publication.
- Language that heals: Add a style-guide section on de-escalation. Ban inflammatory framing; encourage context, precision, and empathy.
- Platform reconciliation: Create a recurring feature that highlights bridge-builders and conflict-resolution stories. Track the ratio of heat vs. light in your coverage.
- Hear the overlooked: Build a standing outreach list (parishes, shelters, immigrant groups, hospital chaplains). Rotate listening sessions and publish what you learn.
- Antenna checks in workflow: Before sign-off, ask: Whose voice is missing? Who's affected but not quoted? Add one more source when needed.
- Metrics that matter: Pair reach with trust indicators: accuracy corrections, audience sentiment, and community feedback response time.
- Crisis-ready truth policy: Pre-commit to fast, clear updates and visible corrections. Make your correction log easy to find.
A witness behind the words: Father Jacques Hamel
The message points to Father Jacques Hamel, killed at the altar in 2016, as a model of conviction and dialogue. He "was a witness to the faith, even to the point of death," believed in "patient, mutual listening," and pressed the urgency "to know how to be close to others, without exception."
For background on Hamel's life and legacy, see this overview from an external source: Father Jacques Hamel.
Context: the Saint François de Sales gathering
The Fédération des Médias Catholiques convenes leaders in Lourdes each January to reflect on mission and practice. This year's focus lands squarely on how AI intersects with responsibility, editorial standards, and the dignity of the people we serve.
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The takeaway is clear: use technology, but lead with humanity. Be rigorous with truth, generous with listening, and intentional about whose stories get told.
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