BBC viewers were left frustrated after a glitch disrupted the broadcast of Pope Leo XIV’s landmark address from St Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago, made history by becoming the first American elected Pope after white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel just after 5pm on May 8.
Now known as Pope Leo XIV, the 69-year-old stepped into his role as the 267th pontiff, leading an estimated 1.4billion Catholics around the world.
His election followed four rounds of voting by 133 cardinals, after three earlier ballots ended in stalemate signaled by black smoke.
As the bells of St Peter’s rang out to confirm the news, Pope Leo appeared to greet the crowds gathered in the square.
Beginning his speech, he declared: “Peace be with all of you. Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected.”
He continued: “I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.”
Echoing Pope Francis’s approach during his first public address, Pope Leo shared his wish to extend his blessing directly to the people and emphasised the importance of Christ as “a bridge to be reached by God and his love.”
He added: “Together we must try to find out how to be a church that builds bridges, establishes dialogue and is open to receive everybody.”
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However, viewers watching BBC News coverage of the historic speech expressed disappointment, noting that an AI-generated voice seemed to be used for the live translation.
Many pointed out that in past papal addresses, television broadcasters typically provided a live human interpreter for such momentous occasions.
Users on X quickly took to the platform to share their reactions to the BBC’s coverage of Pope Leo XIV’s speech.
One person wrote: “BBC News, you would have been better putting subtitles under the footage of #Pope Leo’s speech instead of that awful machine generated garbage! This was an important moment and you ruined it!”
Another commented: “Why is the @BBC using an AI translator to talk over Pope Leo XIV first speech! How disrespectful. Surely you have Italian speaking staff who could translate, or even use subtitles. #BBC #Pope”
A third chimed in: “Is ChatGPT doing Pope Leo’s speech’s translation on BBC News? It’s rather awful.”
A fourth said: “The AI voice translation used by @BBCNews for the new Pope’s first message was appalling. De-human and soulless. It would have been far better to let us hear him speak uninterrupted. I hope that there will be some serious conversations at Broadcasting House. @BBCR4Feedback”
A fifth added: “Is bbc using an AI dub translation ??? this sounds so bad. you cant even hear it.”
Another remarked: “Could the bbc not use our tv license money to pay for a real translator instead of this horrific ai.”
GB News has contacted the BBC for comment.