Pope Leo XIV said Monday that artificial intelligence must be "disarmed" to ensure the technology serves the common good [1, 2].
The call for regulation comes as the global community grapples with the rapid integration of AI into governance, warfare, and the economy. By framing the issue as a need for "disarmament," the Pope is positioning AI not merely as a tool, but as a potential systemic risk to human rights and stability.
Speaking from Vatican City, the Pope released his first major teaching encyclical, titled "Magnifica Humanitas" [1, 2]. In the document and accompanying statements, he urged governments to implement regulations that prevent the weakening of truth, and stop individuals from being reduced to mere data points [1, 4].
Leo XIV said the goal is to protect human dignity and prevent conflict. He said that while the technology offers possibilities, it must be managed to avoid eroding the essence of the human experience [1, 4].
"Let's not fear artificial intelligence, but constantly keep the question of the human in play," the Pope said [5].
The encyclical emphasizes that the pursuit of technological progress should not supersede the moral obligation to protect the vulnerable. The Pope said that artificial intelligence must be disarmed for the common good [3]. This approach suggests a preference for international cooperation and binding constraints over voluntary industry guidelines.
By citing the need for disarmament, the Pope aligns the AI debate with historical efforts to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction—a move that signals the Vatican views unregulated AI as a similar existential threat to global peace [1].
“"We must 'disarm' AI."”
The release of "Magnifica Humanitas" marks a formal shift in the Catholic Church's stance toward AI, moving from general ethical caution to a specific demand for global regulatory intervention. By using the term "disarm," the Vatican is attempting to shift the narrative from economic utility to security and human rights, potentially influencing policy in Catholic-majority nations and providing a moral framework for international treaties on AI safety.
