The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV will launch his inaugural encyclical centered on artificial intelligence, titled Magnifica Humanitas, on May 25. This document will explore the care and protection of human dignity as AI technologies become increasingly influential. Marking a notable departure from past presentations, the event will take place in the main Vatican auditorium with a prominent lineup of church leaders and AI experts in attendance.
Anthropic’s co-founder, Christopher Olah, known for prioritizing AI safety and risk mitigation, will join top Vatican figures in presenting the encyclical. The involvement of Olah and other lay theologians reflects the Church’s commitment to engaging with AI not only as a technological challenge but also as a moral and social issue. The encyclical’s release underscores Pope Leo XIV’s prioritization of ethical oversight in AI development and use.
The document was signed by the pope on a historically significant date, coinciding with the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum. That 19th-century text framed Catholic social teaching during the Industrial Revolution, focusing on workers’ rights, economic justice, and the role of the state. Pope Leo XIV draws parallels between the societal upheavals of that era and today’s AI revolution, addressing similar existential questions about technology’s impact on humanity.
The Vatican’s presentation will feature Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of doctrine, and Cardinal Michael Czerny, responsible for development, as principal speakers. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will offer closing remarks, while the pope himself will deliver a speech and blessing. This broad array of voices highlights the encyclical’s comprehensive approach, combining theological, ethical, and practical perspectives on AI.
The encyclical is expected to frame AI within the Church’s broader social teachings, which include labor issues, justice, and peace. Its release comes amid ongoing debates surrounding Anthropic’s relationship with the U.S. government. Earlier this year, the Trump administration banned the use of Anthropic’s AI technology by federal agencies and the military, citing security concerns. Anthropic responded by suing the administration, alleging illegal retaliation against its efforts to limit certain military uses of its AI.
Pope Leo XIV has explicitly expressed concern about AI’s deployment in warfare and advocates for close monitoring of its applications. This encyclical, supported by experts like Olah and theologians Anna Rowlands and Leocadie Lushombo, aims to provide guidance on navigating the ethical challenges posed by AI across global societies.