Pope Leo XIV’s AI Encyclical Cites Tolkien and Calls for Ethical Technology

In May 2026 Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence*. The document explores the moral and social implications of artificial intelligence, urging that technological progress be accompanied by moral progress and that AI serve human dignity and the common good. It warns against a technocratic mindset that prioritises efficiency and profit above ethical considerations, and it calls for transparency, responsibility and regulation of AI systems.

The encyclical notably references J. R. R. Tolkien’s *The Lord of the Rings*, quoting Gandalf the Grey to illustrate the contrast between creative, altruistic stewardship and the soulless replication of power that the Pope likens to AI. Commentators note that the Pope sees AI as a helpful tool when guided by Christian humanism, but stresses that AI lacks consciousness, freedom and the capacity to love, and therefore must remain subordinate to human values.