Pope Leo XIV to publish first encyclical focused on AI

In short: Pope Leo XIV has signed his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” focused on the moral and social impact of artificial intelligence.

What happened

The Vatican is preparing to release an encyclical called “Magnifica Humanitas,” which means “Magnificent Humanity.” It is Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical since becoming pope.

An encyclical is one of the pope’s most important teaching letters. Think of it like a formal statement that is meant to guide Catholics worldwide on big questions about how to live and act.

The document was signed on May 15, the 135th anniversary of “Rerum Novarum,” a major 1891 Church text that dealt with the upheaval of the first Industrial Revolution and issues like labor and power. The Vatican is framing today’s AI boom as a similar kind of disruptive shift.

The encyclical will be presented in the Vatican’s Synod Hall. Reports say Pope Leo XIV will attend and speak at the launch, which is not typical since these documents are often presented by Vatican officials instead.

Why it matters

AI already helps write text, generate images, and imitate voices and faces (like a convincing fake video of a real person). The Vatican says this encyclical will focus on protecting human dignity, meaning each person’s worth, as these tools change work, communication, creativity, and relationships.

Based on the pope’s recent public remarks, the Church is especially concerned about people confusing computer-made outputs with human wisdom, and about using AI in warfare in ways that blur human responsibility. By using an encyclical, the pope is signaling that the Church sees AI as a long-term moral issue, not just a new gadget.

Source: NYTimes