Trump officials split over Pope Leo’s AI warning as Vatican feud enters new front

A new chapter in the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and the Vatican emerged this week, sparked by comments from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. In a recent interview on Fox Business, Burgum dismissed Pope Leo XIV's warning regarding artificial intelligence, suggesting that it was outside the pope's purview to comment on technology. This remark was aimed at the pope's first encyclical, which advocates for stricter AI oversight, highlighting concerns about job displacement, social inequities, and the potential for lethal decision-making to be removed from human control. In contrast, Vice President JD Vance, who holds significant ties to the Catholic faith and Silicon Valley, expressed a different viewpoint. In an NBC interview, he lauded the pope's message as "profound" and emphasized that the church should provide moral guidance amid the unfolding AI revolution. This split reaction reflects the intricate political landscape that President Donald Trump navigates as he prioritizes AI deregulation in his second-term economic strategy while managing a public disagreement with the first American pope. Critics like Peter Casarella, a theology professor at Duke Divinity School, noted that Vance seems to be retracting earlier criticisms of the pope's theological understanding. The underlying tension intensified following Trump's decision to postpone an executive order aimed at establishing a voluntary AI safety review process, a move influenced by pressure from the tech industry, which argues that oversight could hinder U.S. competitiveness against China. Moreover, members of the Catholic community have voiced concerns about the unchecked advancement of AI, warning that it could exacerbate issues related to employment, family dynamics, and societal well-being. Michael Toscano, director of the Family First Technology Initiative, criticized the "tech right" for impeding reasonable policy discussions, asserting that the true danger lies in the upcoming election cycle when the stakes for voters are high. Pope Leo's critiques of the Trump administration extend beyond AI, having previously condemned policies related to mass deportations and military actions in Iran. Trump has retaliated by labeling the pope as "weak on crime" and has accused him of being overly sympathetic to the "radical left." The timing of the encyclical's release, which coincided with collaboration from Christopher Olah of Anthropic—a tech company already at odds with the administration—added another layer to this complex relationship. Political analysts suggest that Trump's confrontations with the pope might alienate some Catholic voters, a crucial demographic for his political base. While Trump secured 55% of the Catholic vote in the 2024 elections, the ongoing disputes over immigration, military policy, and AI could sway moderate voters who feel less politically tethered. As the midterm elections approach, the implications of this rift could be significant, particularly in swing districts where Catholic voters hold considerable influence. Experts warn that the Republican Party must tread carefully to maintain their support without provoking backlash from this vital voter segment.