VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV is set to release his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”), on May 25, addressing the profound ethical and social challenges posed by the rapid development of artificial intelligence worldwide. The document, signed on May 15, marks a significant moment in Catholic social teaching, extending its principles into the digital age and reflecting a decade-long engagement by the Vatican with the complexities of AI. This historic release will see the Pope personally attend the presentation, a rare level of direct papal involvement.
The Vatican has increasingly voiced concerns over the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, focusing on its impact on human dignity, labor, communication, and social cohesion. The new encyclical is anticipated to be as influential as Pope Francis’ 2015 climate manifesto, “Laudato Si’,” which sparked global political and civic reactions. “Magnifica Humanitas” is seen as a continuation of the Church’s social teachings, aimed at protecting individuals in the era of AI.
Pope Leo XIV, who has made artificial intelligence a cornerstone of his papacy since his election in 2025, has repeatedly warned of the technology’s dangers. He has expressed concerns about the potential for AI to fuel polarization, conflict, fear, and violence, and has lamented the lack of transparency in the algorithms that govern popular chatbots. In January, he highlighted the growing use of these systems globally. This comprehensive document follows years of study by the Church on AI-related technologies, building on the Holy See’s 2020 “Rome Appeal for an AI Ethic,” which advocated for new technologies that respect human dignity.
The Pope’s engagement with AI ethics predates his current pontificate. Pope Francis, his predecessor, also spoke extensively on the subject, advocating for AI regulation and warning of its potential to exacerbate existing inequalities. In a significant address to the Group of Seven (G7) summit in June 2024, Pope Francis urged world leaders to ensure artificial intelligence serves humanity and called for a ban on lethal autonomous weapons, emphasizing that no machine should decide whether a human being lives or dies. He reiterated these concerns at an AI ethics conference in Hiroshima in July 2024, highlighting the symbolic importance of the location and the need for human control over AI-driven weaponry.
“We would condemn humanity to a future without hope if we took away people’s ability to make decisions about themselves and their lives, by dooming them to depend on the choices of machines,” Pope Francis stated in his G7 address, underscoring the critical need for human oversight in AI systems. He further warned against the “technocratic paradigm” that AI could reinforce, stressing the urgent need for political action to guide its development and use. The Vatican has also established an Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence, approved by Pope Leo XIV, to address these complex challenges and ensure cooperation among various Vatican institutions.
The new encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” is set to be presented by Pope Leo XIV alongside experts, including Christopher Olah, co-founder of the artificial intelligence company Anthropic. This partnership is significant, as Anthropic has positioned itself as a company prioritizing safety and risk mitigation in AI research. The inclusion of Olah suggests a potential new dimension to the Vatican’s dialogue with the tech industry, particularly in light of previous tensions with administrations regarding AI technology. The encyclical’s release coincides with the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s “Rerum Novarum,” a foundational text on Catholic social doctrine concerning workers’ rights, signaling a continuation of the Church’s long-standing commitment to social justice and human welfare in the face of evolving societal landscapes.
The Vatican’s approach to AI emphasizes ethical and responsible development, focusing on human dignity, fairness, accountability, transparency, and privacy. It calls for AI to serve humanity and promote the common good, rather than deepening inequalities or becoming a tool for exclusion. The Church has also cautioned against the environmental impact of AI, referencing the significant energy and water consumption required by data centers. The guidelines stress that AI should complement, not replace, human intelligence, and that human judges must retain the sole authority in judicial functions, upholding that justice is an inherently human vocation. This comprehensive approach underscores the Vatican’s commitment to navigating the complex ethical terrain of artificial intelligence, ensuring that technological progress aligns with fundamental human values and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The Vatican’s engagement with AI ethics has been a growing priority, marked by initiatives like the “Rome Call for AI Ethics” in 2020, which brought together tech companies and religious leaders to establish core principles for AI regulation. Pope Leo XIV’s predecessor, Pope Francis, had previously called for an international treaty to regulate AI, emphasizing the risks associated with technology lacking human values like compassion and mercy. The Church’s consistent message is that AI must be a tool that enhances human potential and aspirations, not one that competes with them or exacerbates existing societal problems, such as poverty and conflict. The upcoming encyclical is expected to provide further guidance on these critical issues, reinforcing the Church’s role in shaping the ethical discourse surrounding artificial intelligence.
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