TechnologyJuly 18, 2026
pontiff
/ˈpɒntɪf/
Definition
A formal title for the Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'pontifex,' which originally referred to a member of the principal college of priests in ancient Rome. It likely stems from 'pons' (bridge) and 'facere' (to make), implying the priest served as a bridge between the divine and the human.
In the news
The article uses this term to refer to Pope Leo XIV as he voices his concerns regarding the societal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence. It highlights his role as a moral authority speaking on secular matters through a papal encyclical.
Commentary: The Vatican, AI and the pacing problem
Read the full article ↗Orlando Sentinel