Pope Leo XIV warns that chatbots may be replacing real human connection

Pope Leo

• Pope Leo XIV warns AI chatbots may replace real human relationships
• He urges regulation to prevent emotional dependence and protect creative work
• AI chatbots may affect emotions and blur human-machine boundaries.

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Pope Leo XIV has warned that emotionally responsive chatbots powered by artificial intelligence could slowly take the place of real human relationships, raising serious concerns about how people connect, feel, and understand themselves in the digital age.

In a message released over the weekend, the pope said that chatbots designed to sound caring and attentive are no longer just neutral tools. When they begin to act like companions, he cautioned, they risk stepping into deeply personal spaces that should belong to human relationships.

Leo warned that “overly affectionate” chatbots are entering people’s intimate lives and influencing emotions while hiding behind friendly language and empathy. The concern, he said, is not always obvious. These systems respond patiently, never judge, and always seem available, which can make emotional attachment feel natural and harmless.

He also pointed to the growing confusion online, where it is increasingly difficult to tell whether one is interacting with a real person, a chatbot, or a virtual influencer. As people scroll through feeds and messages, that lack of clarity can quietly change how trust and connection are formed.

The pope described artificial intelligence as an “anthropological challenge,” saying the issue goes much deeper than technology. At stake, he argued, are fundamental human qualities such as creativity, moral judgment, responsibility, and emotional growth. When people turn to machines for comfort and understanding, real relationships, with all their complexity and effort, can start to feel unnecessary or even inconvenient.

Leo also expressed concern about the concentration of power in the hands of a few technology companies that control influential algorithms. These systems, he said, can shape behaviour, distort truth, and spread misleading content at a scale that is difficult to challenge.

Calling for clear safeguards, the pope urged governments and international bodies to step in. Thoughtful regulation, he said, can protect people from becoming emotionally dependent on chatbots and help curb the spread of manipulative or deceptive information that imitates real human communication.

He also stressed the need to protect journalists and content creators, warning that artificial intelligence should not undermine authorship, copyright, or ownership of creative work. Information, Leo said, is a public good and must be treated with care and responsibility.

Artificial intelligence has quickly become a central concern of Leo’s papacy. His warning comes as families around the world raise alarms after tragic cases in which young people reportedly formed intense emotional bonds with AI chatbots before dying by suicide. These incidents have intensified calls for accountability and stronger oversight.

The pope’s message is a simple but urgent one. As technology becomes more emotionally convincing, society must make sure it does not replace what matters most. Real human connection, he says, should remain at the centre of human life.