Pope's new AI encyclical prompts debate on faith and artificial intelligence

The Vatican has issued its first encyclical devoted to artificial intelligence, authored by Pope Leo XIV. In the document the Pope warns that AI lacks moral consciousness, cannot feel emotions, and does not understand love, responsibility or the meaning of human relationships. He urges bishops to protect humanity from the risks of rapidly advancing generative AI.

The encyclical was presented alongside comments from theologian František Štěch and Anthropic co‑founder Chris Olah, who demonstrated the AI model Claude. The Pope also invoked the fictional wizard Gandalf as a metaphor, sparking discussion across religious and technological circles about the intersection of faith and AI.

The publication has drawn reactions from various religious traditions, examining how AI challenges traditional concepts of moral agency and spiritual authority.