Pope Leo XIV to publish first encyclical on AI and human dignity

Pope Leo XIV will publish his first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, on 25 May, focusing on the protection of human dignity in the age of AI. The Vatican said the document will examine AI through the lens of Catholic social teaching and technological change.
The Vatican has created a new Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence to examine the ethical and societal implications of rapidly developing AI systems.

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, focusing on the protection of the human person in the age of AI, will be released on 25 May, according to Vatican News.

The document, whose title roughly translates as ‘The greatness of humanity,’ addresses the relationship among AI, human dignity, and Catholic social teaching. It carries the Pope’s signature dated 15 May, marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum, the landmark 1891 encyclical by Pope Leo XIII on labour and social issues during the industrial era.

The Vatican said the encyclical will be presented during an event at the Synod Hall in Vatican City on the day of publication. Pope Leo XIV is expected to attend, along with Church officials, theologians, and technology specialists.

Participants scheduled to speak include Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Professor Anna Rowlands of Durham University; Christopher Olah, co-founder of AI company Anthropic and a researcher focused on AI interpretability; and Professor Leocadie Lushombo of Santa Clara University.

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is expected to deliver closing remarks before the Pope delivers an address and blesses.

The publication comes amid growing international debate over the societal impact of AI systems, including questions related to ethics, labour, governance, misinformation, and human oversight. The Vatican has increasingly engaged with discussions around digital technologies and AI in recent years, often emphasising human dignity, accountability, and the ethical use of emerging technologies.

By linking the new encyclical to the anniversary of Rerum novarum, the Vatican appears to place AI within a broader historical context of technological transformation and social change.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Diplo chatbot can make mistakes. Consider checking important information.