Pope to Waldensian Synod: Bear witness together to the freedom of God’s children

In a message signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope sends his greetings to the Methodist and Waldensian Churches on the occasion of the opening of their Synod. In particular, he reflects on artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need to ‘advance technology without allowing the human heart to regress.’ Vatican News reports that Pope Leo XIV sent his ‘best wishes’ to the Synod of the Methodist and Waldensian Churches, which began on Saturday, August 22, in Torre Pellice, in the northern Italian region of Piedmont. The message, addressed to Catholic Bishop Derio Olivero of Pinerolo, was signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The Waldensian Evangelical Church is a Protestant denomination present in Italy, Switzerland, and South America, integrated with the Methodist Evangelical Church. The Synod of the Union of Methodist and Waldensian Churches is taking place from August 22 to 26, 2026, in Torre Pellice, in the province of Turin. The assembly will discuss and determine its agenda and future priorities, addressing issues such as peace, social justice, ecumenism, human rights, protection of vulnerable people, sustainability, and challenges to Christian witness in today’s world. The Pope reflected on artificial intelligence, a central theme from the day preceding the Synod’s activities. He urges Christians to bear witness together to the freedom of human beings created in the image and likeness of God, recalling a passage from the encyclical *Magnifica humanitas*. He emphasizes the need to advance technology while ensuring the human heart does not regress.