Pope Leo XIV issued a warning against the exploitation of artificial intelligence in a new encyclical released this month [1].
The document, titled "Magnifica Humanitas," addresses the intersection of rapid technological advancement and human ethics. As AI continues to integrate into global infrastructure, the Vatican is signaling that unchecked growth could undermine the fundamental value of human life and labor.
In the encyclical, the Pope compared the current trajectory of AI development to the biblical Tower of Babel [1]. This comparison suggests that the pursuit of technical omnipotence without moral grounding leads to fragmentation and collapse. The Pope said, "Artificial intelligence could be the new Tower of Babel" [2].
The Vatican's message focuses on the need for global standards to prevent an anti-human vision of the future. The Pope said that the development of these tools must not come at the cost of the marginalized or the dignity of the individual. He said, "We must put safeguards in place to protect humanity as technology progresses" [3].
The 2026 [1] release of the document comes as AI systems increasingly automate professional roles and influence social interactions. By framing the technology as a test of human dignity, the Holy See is urging developers and policymakers to prioritize ethics over profit. The encyclical calls for a framework that ensures technology serves humanity, rather than dominating it.
This effort by the Vatican aims to influence international discourse on AI governance. By leveraging the moral authority of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV is pushing for a global consensus on the limits of machine intelligence, specifically regarding its impact on work and power.
“"Artificial intelligence could be the new Tower of Babel."”
The issuance of 'Magnifica Humanitas' represents a strategic move by the Vatican to position itself as a moral arbiter in the global AI debate. By using the Tower of Babel metaphor, the Church frames AI not as a neutral tool, but as a potential source of spiritual and societal hubris. This adds a theological layer to the existing legal and technical arguments for AI regulation, potentially mobilizing a global religious constituency to demand human-centric safeguards.
