Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical on Monday, May 25, 2026, warning that artificial intelligence poses a significant threat to humanity [1].
The document, titled “Magnifica Humanitas,” signals a shift in the Vatican's approach to emerging technology. By framing AI as a catalyst for conflict, the Pope is urging world leaders to move beyond voluntary guidelines toward forceful, binding regulation [2, 3].
Writing from the Vatican, the Pope criticized the current trajectory of AI development. He said the technology is fueling war and a “culture of power” [3]. The encyclical argues that the pursuit of technological dominance risks dehumanizing global conflict and eroding ethical standards in governance [4].
Central to the Pope's argument is the concentration of technological influence. He said, "Control of artificial intelligence must not remain in the hands of a few" [1]. This statement targets the dominance of a small number of corporations and states in the development of frontier models [1].
Leo XIV also addressed the evolution of military ethics. He said that the traditional “just war theory” is now "outdated" [4]. This suggests that the speed and autonomy of AI-driven weaponry make previous moral frameworks for conflict obsolete, a claim that pushes for a broader disarmament of AI tools [4].
The encyclical calls for an international effort to ensure that AI serves the common good rather than the interests of powerful entities [2]. The Pope said that without stronger oversight, the technology will continue to exacerbate global inequalities and increase the likelihood of automated warfare [2, 3].
“"Control of artificial intelligence must not remain in the hands of a few."”
The release of “Magnifica Humanitas” represents a formal ecclesiastical pivot toward viewing AI as a geopolitical risk rather than just a tool for efficiency. By declaring just war theory outdated, Pope Leo XIV is challenging centuries of Catholic moral philosophy to account for autonomous systems. This puts the Vatican in a position to pressure international bodies to treat AI regulation with the same urgency as nuclear non-proliferation.
