Pope Warns Intelligence Agencies Against Using Secrets to Target the Church

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Pope Leo XIV has cautioned intelligence agencies worldwide against weaponising confidential information, warning that such practices can be used to intimidate, manipulate or discredit institutions and individuals, including the Catholic Church

Speaking on Friday during an audience at the Vatican with Italian intelligence officials, the pontiff urged spies to exercise restraint and uphold human dignity in their work

Although he did not single out any country, the pope noted that in several nations, intelligence agencies have been used to justify repression of the Church, including confiscation of property and the expulsion of religious leaders

“We must exercise rigorous vigilance to prevent confidential information from being used to intimidate, manipulate, blackmail, or discredit,” said Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States

He added that the warning applied equally to the Church, saying that in some countries it remains a victim of intelligence operations carried out with “malicious intent” that undermine religious freedom

In an era of rapidly advancing technology, the pope stressed the need for clear limits grounded in respect for human dignity

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He called on intelligence services to remain alert to the ethical challenges posed by their powerful tools and positions

“Ensure that the protection of national security consistently 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 pope was addressing the gathering as part of events marking 100 years since the establishment of Italy’s intelligence service