Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical on Monday, urging the global community to implement firm regulations on artificial intelligence [1, 6].
The 110-page manifesto, titled “Magnifica humanitas,” marks a significant intervention by the Holy See into the ethical governance of emerging technology [4, 5]. By addressing the intersection of faith and machine learning, the Vatican aims to prevent the dehumanization of society and ensure that technological progress does not outpace human conscience [1, 6].
In the document, the Pope highlights two primary dangers associated with the current trajectory of AI development [4]. He specifically warns against the concentration of power within a small number of private corporations, and the increasing use of these technologies for warfare [4, 5].
"We need a firm regulation of artificial intelligence that puts conscience and responsibility above profit," Pope Leo XIV said [1].
The pontiff expressed grave concern regarding the integration of AI into military systems. He suggested that the current path of investment in high-tech weaponry and autonomous systems could lead to catastrophic outcomes for the species [6].
"Humanity is heading toward a spiral of annihilation if we continue investing in AI and high-tech weaponry," Pope Leo XIV said [6].
The encyclical calls for a global framework that prioritizes the common good over corporate gain. The text argues that without such safeguards, the digital divide will widen, and the inherent dignity of the human person will be compromised by algorithmic decision-making [1, 6].
While the encyclical was released on Monday, the Pope continued to address these themes in further statements later this week [1, 6].
““We need a firm regulation of artificial intelligence that puts conscience and responsibility above profit,””
The Vatican's move signals a shift toward treating AI governance as a fundamental moral and existential issue rather than a mere technical or legal challenge. By explicitly condemning the militarization of AI and the monopoly of private firms, Pope Leo XIV is positioning the Catholic Church as a diplomatic weight in the global push for AI treaties, potentially influencing policy in countries where the Church maintains significant cultural and political sway.
