Pope Leo XIV has cautioned intelligence agencies across the world against turning secret information into a tool for harm, warning that such practices have also been used against the Catholic Church.
Speaking on Friday during a Vatican audience with Italian intelligence officers, the pope said confidential material should never be used to threaten, control or damage individuals or institutions. Although he did not point to specific nations, he noted that the Church has, in several countries, faced repression driven by intelligence operations.
"We must exercise rigorous vigilance to prevent confidential information from being used to intimidate, manipulate, blackmail, or discredit," the first pope from the United States said.
He added that the Church has not been spared from such actions, saying intelligence bodies have at times acted with ill intent and limited its freedom.
"This also applies to the Church. Indeed, in several countries, the Church is a victim of intelligence agencies that act with malicious intent and repress its freedom," he said.
The pope warned that rapid advances in technology have increased the risk of abuse, making it necessary for intelligence work to be guided by firm moral limits and respect for human dignity.
In this context, he urged agents to remain alert to the ethical dangers linked to their roles and responsibilities.
"It is necessary to set limits, based on respect for human dignity, and to remain vigilant against the temptations to which your position exposes you," he said.
Pope Leo XIV also stressed that protecting national security must never come at the expense of basic rights and freedoms.
"Ensure that... the protection of national security constantly guarantees the rights of individuals, their private and family life, their freedom of conscience and information, as well as their right to a fair trial," he said.
The address was delivered during an event marking 100 years since the creation of Italy’s intelligence service.
