The Vatican is racing to build digital defenses for the artificial intelligence era — and quietly positioning itself as a global referee of what's real. Why it matters:  The Holy See is moving faster than most other legacy institutions to shape rules and guardrails in verifying reality, with urgency that's unfolding amid unusual geopolitical and digital clashes. The Vatican has stepped up cybersecurity partnerships and AI oversight efforts, blending defense with diplomacy and ethics. It has implemented formal AI guidelines and monitoring structures inside Vatican City. Church leaders are increasingly warning about a "crisis of truth" driven by AI-generated content, something the late Pope Francis addressed before his passing. Zoom in: In February, Leo XIV told priests not to use AI to write homilies or to seek "likes" on social media platforms like TikTok, per the National Catholic Reporter .…