Leo XIV - An AI Pope? Insights and Perspectives from California

The new pope - an American! What amazes and concerns the whole world is particularly relevant here in California - and brings the question of artifi-cial intelligence into play. We are on site, Anna Puzio at the University of California Berkeley, Alexander Filipović at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley. Having been here for a few weeks, we are still impressed by the Californian way of life: friendly, relaxed people, welcoming encounters in eve-ry situation, people who are still fit in old age, theologians who are open-minded and curiously critical when it comes to technology and digital life-styles. Pope Leo XIII fits the bill: casual and friendly, emotional and ap-proachable, good-looking, healthy, obviously interested in sport and sporty - and with a smartwatch on his wrist. He could also have been cast in the “Conclave” movie. Our local friends and acquaintances are thrilled. David writes right after the election: "I'm in shock", while another colleague comments with relief: "He's a very good guy and not a nut for sure." Suggested citation: Puzio, Anna/Filipovic, Alexander: Leo XIV - An AI Pope? Insights and Perspectives from California. In: Feinschwarz (2025). English Translation. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24700.45446. Link