World Day of Peace

Pope Francis calls for a dialogue on the contribution of technology, and in particular the field of artificial intelligence. Acknowledging their enormous impact on human activity, personal, social and professional life, politics and the economy, the Pope insists on the “need to be vigilant and to work so that a logic of violence and discrimination does not take root in the production and use of these devices, to the detriment of the most fragile and excluded: injustice and inequality feed conflicts and antagonisms.”

With this in mind, the Pope has chosen “Artificial Intelligence and Peace” as his theme for the 57th World Day of Peace. In his mind, there is an urgent need to address the parameters of responsible design and use of artificial intelligence, with particular reference to ethical reflection encompassing all aspects, including education and the law.

In his view, the protection of human dignity and respect for a brotherhood open to the whole human family must be taken into account to ensure that the development of these technologies contributes to the promotion of peace and justice in the world.

You can read the Pope’s full message in English, Spanish and French. An infographic on the theme of the day is also available here.

This world day was instituted by Pope Paul VI on January 1, 1968, following an awareness campaign that gathered over three million signatures from young people in 125 countries. The petition was the brainchild of the founder of an organization that fights leprosy and poverty and promotes access to education. Addressing his request to the UN Secretary General of the time, Raoul Follereau asked “that all nations present at the UN decide that each year, on the occasion of a World Day of Peace, they will take from their respective budgets what one day of armament costs them, and will put it in common to fight against famines, slums and the great endemics which decimate humanity (…)”. His message was echoed by Pope Paul VI during a visit to India on December 4, 1964.