Pope Leo XIV is set to release his first encyclical, titled Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), on May 25, with a strong focus on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, labour rights and global peace. The Vatican announced on Monday that the document would address growing concerns surrounding the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity, particularly […]
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Pope Leo XIV is set to release his first encyclical, titled Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”), on May 25, with a strong focus on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, labour rights and global peace.
The Vatican announced on Monday that the document would address growing concerns surrounding the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity, particularly its use in warfare and its effects on workers’ rights and human dignity.
According to the Vatican, the encyclical was formally signed by the pontiff last Friday ahead of its official release.
The document is expected to outline the pope’s major social and moral priorities, making it one of the most significant teachings of his papacy so far.
Unlike previous popes, Pope Leo will personally participate in the Vatican presentation of the encyclical, alongside AI researcher and Anthropic co-founder, Chris Olah.
Encyclicals are regarded as one of the highest forms of papal teaching within the Catholic Church and are addressed to the Church’s estimated 1.4 billion members worldwide.
The Vatican said the document would focus on “the protection of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.”
Observers expect the encyclical to condemn the growing use of AI technologies in warfare and autonomous weapons systems, while also examining how rapid technological change is reshaping labour and economic systems globally.
Pope Leo has repeatedly warned about the dangers of unchecked AI development in recent months. During a speech last week at one of Europe’s largest universities, he criticised the increasing use of advanced technologies in conflicts across Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, describing it as “the inhumane evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies in a spiral of annihilation.”
The encyclical also coincides with the 135th anniversary of a landmark labour-focused encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII, which advocated improved wages and conditions for workers.
The Vatican’s decision to include Olah in the unveiling has drawn attention due to Anthropic’s stance on AI safety and restrictions against the military use of artificial intelligence.
The forthcoming document is expected to become one of the Catholic Church’s most comprehensive positions yet on artificial intelligence, ethics, social justice and the future of work in the digital age.
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