By Fr. Gerald Omunyin, CECC
The Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Leo XIV has chosen “Preserving Human Voices and Faces” as the theme for the 60th World Communications Day, scheduled for May 17, 2026.
The theme highlights the growing influence of artificial intelligence on communication and the urgent need to safeguard authentic human presence. In its communiqué, the Dicastery for Communication warned that while AI offers new possibilities for speed and accessibility, it also presents serious risks, including disinformation through simulated voices and faces, privacy violations, and the erosion of critical thinking.
“Public communication requires human judgment, not just data patterns,” the Vatican statement said. “Machines must remain tools that connect and serve humanity, not replace the human voice.”
The communiqué stressed that AI can generate realistic but misleading or harmful content, perpetuate stereotypes, and concentrate power in the hands of a few technology companies. Overreliance on these tools, it added, could weaken creativity and responsibility.
Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly emphasized the need to address the challenges posed by new technologies, describing artificial intelligence as part of a “new industrial revolution.” He has called on the Church to draw from its social teaching to defend human dignity, justice, and labor in this context.
World Communications Day, established by Pope Paul VI following the Second Vatican Council, is observed annually to reflect on the role of the media and communication. The 2026 theme underscores the importance of ensuring that technology supports, rather than undermines, the human voice and face.
World Communications Day, established by Pope Paul VI following the Second Vatican Council, is observed annually to encourage reflection on the opportunities and challenges of media. The 2026 theme underscores the need to safeguard authentic human presence in an era of rapid technological change.
