Pope Leo XIV issues first encyclical on artificial intelligence

Pope Leo XIV has issued his first encyclical, ‘Magnifica Humanitas’, which focuses on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The document, which spans over 200 pages, marks the first time in Church history that an encyclical has been dedicated systematically to a single technology.

The encyclical warns that AI poses risks of deepening inequality, weakening human relationships, and concentrating power if not guided by ethical oversight. The Pope has called for AI to be ‘disarmed’ through robust frameworks rather than relying on abstract ethics alone.

Academic responses to the document are emerging. A study in the Journal of Religion and Health traces the continuity of Catholic teaching on technology from Pope Francis to Leo XIV, emphasizing human dignity and social responsibility. Additionally, researchers publishing in AI and Ethics have proposed a governance model based on the encyclical’s principles. This model shifts the focus from institutional control to how AI can serve humanity, advocating for continuous independent oversight and the involvement of affected communities to ensure ethical continuity.