Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical on May 25, 2026 [1], warning that artificial intelligence poses significant moral and societal risks.
The document, titled *Magnifica Humanitas*, signals the Catholic Church's intent to influence the global governance of technology. By addressing both governments and the tech industry, the Pope seeks to establish a human-centered ethical framework to prevent AI from eroding human dignity.
In the encyclical, the Pope compared the rise of artificial intelligence to the Industrial Revolution [2]. He said that without transparency and regulation, the current trajectory of AI development could fuel a "culture of power" that drives an unchecked race between corporations and nations [3].
The Vatican is calling for a moral framework to safeguard humanity [3]. This includes a demand for greater transparency in how AI systems are built and deployed, as well as a call for governments to implement strict regulations to mitigate potential harms [3].
While some interpretations of the text suggest it offers wisdom for the general public and big tech firms [4], other reports emphasize the document's role as a stern warning against the dangers of the technology [5]. The Pope said a shift is needed away from the dominance of a few big AI firms toward new alternatives that prioritize the common good [2].
Released from the Vatican, the encyclical serves as a formal appeal to the global community to prioritize ethics over profit, and speed in the deployment of generative and autonomous systems [5].
“The Pope compared the rise of artificial intelligence to the Industrial Revolution.”
This move positions the Holy See as a moral arbiter in the tech sector, attempting to fill a regulatory vacuum where international law has yet to catch up with AI capabilities. By framing AI development as a societal risk akin to the Industrial Revolution, the Pope is urging a transition from a purely market-driven approach to one governed by universal ethical standards.
