The Catholic Church and Artificial Intelligence: The Birth of "Algorethics" and the New Digital Reality

Abstract This paper explores the position and role of the Catholic Church in the era of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), investigating the intersection of theological ethics and empirical digital sociology. As technological progress creates new anthropological challenges, the article analyzes the paradigm shift where Marshall McLuhan's "medium" is replaced by the "algorithm." Drawing upon a systematic review of Coordinated Social Media Manipulation (CSMM), the paper applies the conceptual model of "Covert Operation, Implementation, and Influence" to the Vatican's ethical concerns. The author discusses Pope Francis's philosophical dichotomy between machine "computational intelligence" and human "wisdom of the heart," highlighting the dangers of ontological reduction. Furthermore, the paper integrates the social vision of the new Pontiff, Leo XIV, who assesses AI as a "New Industrial Revolution." By synthesizing data on digital traces with the "Rome Call for AI Ethics," the article demonstrates the Church's effort to defend human dignity against "black box" algorithms and deceptive agents. The paper concludes by presenting "Algorethics" as a necessary framework to prevent spiritual "acedia" and ensure technology serves the common good. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Coordinated Social Media Manipulation (CSMM), Algorethics, Catholic Church, Digital Humanism, Wisdom of the Heart.