New York, 16-17 December 2025

Madam President,

The Holy See Delegation welcomes the opportunity to address this High-Level Meeting, which marks ten years since the first review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society.

Advances in information technology, particularly in the digital sphere, offer opportunities for poverty eradication, economic growth, social development and sustainability. Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that such advances are not without significant risks, which are contingent upon the choices that are made in their development.

This is particularly evident in the field of AI, where ethical reflection and safeguards are essential. As Pope Leo XIV said, “artificial intelligence has certainly opened up new horizons for creativity, but it also raises serious concerns about its possible repercussions on humanity’s openness to truth and beauty, and capacity for wonder and contemplation.”[1]


Madam President,

The Holy See appreciates the section of the outcome document that pertains to human rights and ethical dimensions of the Information Society. This section emphasizes the necessity of effective ethical management and regulatory frameworks, to ensure the protection of all users, particularly children, from the potential harms associated with the misuse of ICTs.

It is also important that the benefits of the Information Society are accessible to all, particularly in developing countries. Enhanced international cooperation, conditions and policies that foster economic growth and development by facilitating investment, innovation, and effective governance, and both financial and technological resources are therefore needed to address current digital divides.

Madam President,

In conclusion, the Holy See hopes that ten years from now, the impact of these technological developments will have served the interests of humanity as a whole. To achieve this, as Pope Leo XIV noted, it is essential to “remain oriented toward the dignity of the human person and the common good”, and “to develop systems that reflect justice, solidarity and a genuine reverence for life.”[2]

I thank you.

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[1] Pope Leo XIV, Address to Participants in the Conference “Artificial Intelligence and Care of our Common Home” organized by the Centesimus Annus pro PontificeFoundation and the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities, 5 December 2025.

[2] Pope Leo XIV, Message to the Participants in the Builders AI Forum, 3 November 2025.