Pope Leo XIV has emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) is a central theme of his papacy since his election, describing this technology as a new industrial revolution that represents a potential “threat to human dignity.” In a seminar held on October 16 and 17 titled Digital Rerum Novarum, the Pope raised the need to establish a global regulatory framework to halt the arms race of AI. The Pope against AI Organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the seminar brought together experts who advocated for the creation of a binding regulatory framework, supported […]
Pope Leo XIV has emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) is a central theme of his papacy since his election, describing this technology as a new industrial revolution that represents a potential “threat to human dignity”. In a seminar held on October 16 and 17 titled Digital Rerum Novarum, the Pope raised the need to establish a global regulatory framework to halt the arms race of AI.
The Pope against AI
Organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the seminar brought together experts who advocated for the creation of a binding regulatory framework, supported by major tech institutions like Microsoft. During the event, the Pope mentioned that, although AI has the potential to achieve great things, it is crucial to consider how to create a “more authentically just and humane global society.”
A highlighted aspect of the discussion was the development of “neural rights,” in order to protect individuals from invasive technologies. This includes ethically addressing the use of AI, especially in contexts where privacy and human dignity may be threatened. In response to the demand for an ethical and inclusive approach to AI, a network was created in Latin America to facilitate collaboration among experts in this field.
Another significant proposal that emerged from the seminar was the idea of “technological social justice,” which includes initiatives such as Universal Basic Income. However, it is recognized that creating an effective regulatory framework could be a challenge in an environment dominated by economic interests.
With the influence of the Pope, the Vatican seeks to position itself as a key player in the debate on AI regulation, suggesting that this will not be the Pope’s last call to the tech industry. This could imply significant pressure on companies in the sector to adopt more ethical and responsible practices in the development of this powerful technology.
Religion does not act in isolation, but rather maintains a close relationship with political power, exerting a notable influence on culture and territorial control. In this context, the unexpected death of the Pope has led to a new conclave, which perfectly coincides with the movie premiering on streaming on Movistar+. The cardinals who smoke vapes This dramatic and complex reality has been captured in the film Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, which has had a successful run both at the box office and at the Oscars, where it won recognition for its screenplay. The […]
Religion does not act in isolation, but rather maintains a close relationship with political power, exerting a notable influence on culture and territorial control. In this context, the unexpected death of the Pope has led to a new conclave, which perfectly coincides with the movie that premieres on streaming on Movistar+.
The Cardinals Who Smoke Vapes
This dramatic and complex reality has been captured in the film Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, which has had a successful run both at the box office and at the Oscars, where it won recognition for its screenplay. The film delves into Vatican intrigues and captures the viewer’s attention with an impressive visual proposal and a script that maintains constant interest throughout the narrative.
In Conclave, the story reveals how the cardinals are sequestered in an electoral process to choose their new leader, a decisive moment that will shape the future of the Church. The protagonists, with complex stances on the role of Catholicism in modernity, soon find themselves entangled in secrets that complicate the electoral system within the Vatican. Although the plot resembles palace intrigues, it also raises important questions about the relevance of the religious institution in an increasingly secular world.
With his direction, Edward Berger manages to merge elements of a thriller with a political backdrop, creating a cinematic experience that should be more common in theaters. According to critics, Conclave is an example of quality adult cinema that transcends the mere pursuit of awards, offering a spectacle that masterfully combines reflection and entertainment.
Few more relevant historical events have occurred this year than the death of the Pope. I wish that were the biggest and most relevant. But aside from the fact that history does not give us a break, the death of the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church made headlines around the world after a long illness that was communicated in a rather understated manner. Not providing all the information at any moment, up until his last moments. This has meant that the Pope was present for weeks, if not months, in all the news reports. By not being clear or explicit about his condition […]
Few more significant historical events have occurred this year than the death of the Pope. I wish that were the biggest and most relevant. But aside from the fact that history does not give us a break, the death of the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church made headlines around the world after a long illness that was communicated in a rather understated manner. Not providing all the information at any moment, up until his last moments.
This has caused the Pope to be present for weeks, if not months, in all the news reports. By not being clear or explicit about his health status, speculation increased. And this led to a curiosity that also translated into a particular interest in understanding how the process of choosing a Pope works.
It is not for nothing. Choosing a pontiff is not an easy, quick, or, in most cases, elegant task. This time it has been disappointingly quick and painless, with a consensus candidate, and perhaps that is why almost no one remembers him now. Because he is not memorable. Because there has been no politics or any kind of narrative behind his election. They have only chosen what seems to be a good man, a continuation of the previous legacy, with nothing that stands out.
That’s not the norm. And in fact, it’s not what excites the audience. Something that was demonstrated by a movie released a year before all of this and that was, in its own way, almost prophetic. We’re talking, of course, about Conclave.
Conclave: the movie that took the world by storm even before a Pope died
Premiering in 2024, Conclave is a political thriller that instead of being set in parliaments or corporate meeting rooms focuses on a much less usual place: the Vatican. Masterfully directed by Edward Berger and written by Peter Straughan, known respectively for directing All Quiet on the Western Front and writing Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, it is a film that demonstrates that what happens in the Sistine Chapel is no less political than what occurs in those other more common places.
Focusing on the characters and their affiliations, the film knows how to convey their disputes and struggles to us. The preparations pile up, the voting begins, and everything grows tense as secrets are revealed and the candidates’ dirty laundry is discovered. Making sure that no one is safe in an absolutely thrilling thriller where, at times, we forget that we are watching priests fighting to see who will be God’s chosen one on earth.
This also implies that the movie has a certain degree of unreality. Although we do not know exactly what happens inside the Vatican during a conclave, it certainly won’t be something like in Conclave. It is fictionalized to add tension and make it more vivid and interesting.
Does that take away merit? Not a bit. On the contrary. It knows how to make a dry and uninteresting topic like a group of religious men locked in a church to decide who will be the new leader of their institution tremendously interesting by condensing what is truly valuable about the story. Sometimes it exaggerates and it’s hard to believe that everything that happens in this conclave could occur in just one. But that doesn’t prevent us from getting a very good idea of what happens there. Even if it’s not as tense and spectacular as in Berger’s film.
A movie you shouldn’t miss
This is also helped by the fact that its actors are absolutely masterful. Ralph Fiennes is colossal, as is usual for him, but Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow as Cardinals Aldo Bellini and Joseph Tremblay also shine in their own right. Although it is undeniable that the Italians, two prodigious Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini, end up stealing most of the scenes they appear in, demonstrating that they have absolutely nothing to envy from the dream cast of this film.
All of that, combined with the impact of its ending, makes Conclave an exciting movie that you shouldn’t miss. Even if you are already tired of papacies, elections, and all that religious politics that, in our daily lives, doesn’t really affect us that much.
Fortunately, you now have it easier than ever to watch it. Conclave arrives next Friday, June 27, on Movistar+. This is a perfect opportunity to see one of the most interesting, awarded, and relevant films of recent years. Even if neither its director nor any of those involved remotely anticipated that it would happen.
The death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2024, has initiated a conclave of cardinals in the Vatican, tasked with choosing his successor. This process has captured the attention of both the faithful and the media, including the Spanish channel Cuatro, which has approached the topic from a humorous perspective. In its coverage, Cuatro has used clips from the popular video game Dark Souls 3 to compare the papal election with the epic battles presented in the game. In a segment of its programming, a player, dressed in the armor of the Archdeacon, faces the boss […]
The death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2024, has initiated a conclave of cardinals in the Vatican, tasked with choosing his successor. This process has captured the attention of both the faithful and the media, including the Spanish channel Cuatro, which has approached the topic from a humorous perspective. In its coverage, Cuatro has used clips from the popular video game Dark Souls 3 to compare the papal election with the epic battles presented in the game.
In a segment of their programming, a player, dressed in the Archdeacon’s armor, faces the boss Pontiff Sulyvahn, the self-proclaimed ruler of Irithyll of the Boreal Valley. The analogies between the struggle to defeat a mythical boss and the contest for the throne of Saint Peter have been presented entertainingly, suggesting that cardinals might need to demonstrate their skills in a video game environment to obtain the highest position in the Catholic Church.
A rather peculiar comparison
In addition, prediction markets in Italy have begun to come alive, speculating on who will be the next Pope, creating a betting atmosphere around this significant event. According to representatives from Cuatro, the coverage has been described as light and more entertainment-oriented than serious analysis, with elements like a version of Papal Football.
However, between joke and reality, some enthusiasts argue that to attain the papacy it would be imperative, even in a figurative sense, to surpass Sulyvahn. This presents a fun and critical view of the conclave, sparking a debate on how the institution is perceived in an increasingly entertainment-driven and digital culture contemporary context.
No, it’s not that Sly is preparing a new movie where the leader of Catholicism has to deal with Satan, but rather that both of them have met, they have threatened a boxing match in the middle of the Vatican and the world has asked itself “But How did we get here?”
The best crossovers are the ones you would have never imagined in your life. Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Archie and the Punisher. Godzilla and Charles Barkley. And now, Sylvester Stallone and the Pope. No, it’s not that Sly is preparing a new movie where the leader of the Catholic Church has to engage in fisticuffs with Satan; rather, they have met, playfully teased a boxing match in the Vatican, and the world has wondered, “How did we get here?”
Last Friday, Sylvester Stallone, the man behind ‘Rocky,’ ‘Rambo,’ and ‘The Expendables,’ was at the Vatican. And of course, Pope Francis couldn’t miss the opportunity to meet a personal idol. Had you ever imagined the Pope setting aside his cassock, cracking open a beer, and enjoying Rocky’s fight against Mr. T in ‘Rocky III’? I hadn’t either… until now.
Sylvester Stallone began by thanking the Pope for the brief one-and-a-half-minute meeting, but the one who seemed more excited wasn’t the action hero. “The honor is mine; we grew up with your movies,” Pope Francis said, surprising the actor and director, who didn’t see that coming. Stallone must have thought, “Hey, when else in life will I have the chance to exchange a few boxing punches with a global religious leader?”
“The honor is mine as well. Ready? Let’s box.” And with that, he began moving his fists in what could have been a hilarious ‘The Naked Gun’ sketch, pretending to be ready for a brawl. Which is quite something, considering the rigidity of certain sectors of the church.
I wish I could say that this story had an epic ending, with both of them set to fight on the same day as Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, but in reality, it ended amicably. Stallone can continue promoting ‘The Expendables 4’ without having to worry that, inadvertently, he threw an unexpected jab at Jorge Mario Bergoglio and made 2023 even more eventful.
