Pope Leo has committed to an AI-aware papacy. As our media expert columnist, Sr. Helena Burns, writes in this issue, nothing could be more timely or essential. Sr. Burns also has some vital advice for ways to avoid as much as possible AI scams on the Internet.

Despite his commitment to braving this brave new online world, however, the Holy Father himself has already been burned by fakes – video and textual – of things he has purportedly said in contexts that are entirely illusory.

Our colleagues at Our Sunday Visitor News have done some digging into the discrepancies and come up with a list of 10 things that can be copied onto a desktop or put under a fridge magnet as reminders of verified things Leo has said in the early days of his pontificate.

1. "God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail!" -- Apostolic Blessing "Urbi et Orbi," May 8, 2025

In a world marked by loneliness, division and spiritual confusion, this quote from Pope Leo's first-ever speech as pope is meant to comfort, assure and invite every listener into a relationship with God.

2. "Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power or pleasure." -- Homily for the Mass Pro Ecclesia, May 9, 2025

In many secularized societies, religious belief is dismissed as superstition or as something for the emotionally fragile or intellectually inferior.

3. "Peace is built in the heart and from the heart, by eliminating pride and vindictiveness and carefully choosing our words." -- Address to members of the diplomatic corps, May 16, 2025

Pope Leo emphasizes that peace is not merely the absence of war but a personal and interior effort.

4. "Religious experience is an essential dimension of the human person. Without it, it is difficult, if not impossible, to bring about the purification of the heart necessary for building peaceful relationships." -- Address to members of the diplomatic corps, May 16, 2025

Pope Leo defends the spiritual dimension of the human person as central to both personal growth and societal peace. 

5. "Many of our Eastern brothers and sisters, including some of you, have been forced to flee their homelands because of war and persecution, instability and poverty, and risk losing not only their native lands, but also, when they reach the West, their religious identity. As a result, with the passing of generations, the priceless heritage of the Eastern Churches is being lost."

-- Address to participants in the Jubilee of Oriental Churches, May 14, 2025

The pope highlights the tragic reality of many Eastern Christians: displacements due to war and persecution. Leaving one's homeland is traumatic enough. But the pope says migrants and refugees also risk losing something deeper: their religious identity and traditions.

6. "Our neighbors are not first our enemies … but other men and women with whom we can speak." -- Address to participants in the Jubilee of Oriental Churches, May 14, 2025

This sentence challenges the binary mindset of good versus evil that often dominates political and military rhetoric. It calls for humanization of the other and engagement through relationship and dialogue.

7. "Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world." -- Address to representatives of the media, May 12, 2025

Pope Leo XIV is urging us to recognize the power of language. Words can escalate conflict -- or foster peace. Peace begins with what we say and how we say it.

8. "Communication is not only the transmission of information, but it is also the creation of a culture." -- Address to representatives of the media, May 12, 2025

This profound insight elevates the role of journalists and communicators. Media doesn't just report on reality -- it shapes how we understand and inhabit the world. Every article, post and broadcast contributes to a broader human environment and must therefore be treated with ethical care and creative responsibility.

9. "Beginning with St. Peter and up to myself, his unworthy successor, the pope has been a humble servant of God and of his brothers and sisters, and nothing more than this." -- Address to the College of Cardinals, May 10, 2025

In a powerful expression of papal humility and continuity, Pope Leo places himself within the line of successors to St. Peter, and affirms the role of the pope is not about power, prestige or personal greatness, but about service.

10. "Do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and of Christ the Lord!" -- Regina Caeli, May 11, 2025

Pope Leo reassures those discerning a vocation -- especially priesthood or religious life -- that following Christ is not something to fear, even if it feels demanding or countercultural.