Pope León XIV presented his first encyclical, titled "Magnifica humanitas," at the Vatican’s Aula Sínodo on May 15, 2026 [1].

The document arrives as global leaders and religious institutions grapple with the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into daily life. By addressing the preservation of humanity, the Pope seeks to establish a moral framework for a technology that threatens to redefine labor, ethics, and human identity.

The presentation of the encyclical coincides with the 135th anniversary [1] of the social encyclical Rerum novarum, which was originally published in 1891 [1]. Just as that earlier document addressed the industrial revolution and the rights of workers, "Magnifica humanitas" targets the digital revolution. The Pope used the event to draw a parallel between the societal shifts of the 19th century and the current technological era.

According to reports, the presentation included a focus on the societal challenges posed by AI [2]. The Vatican aims to guide the faithful and the broader international community in ensuring that technology serves human dignity rather than undermining it. The document emphasizes the need for ethical guardrails to prevent the erosion of human agency.

While the encyclical focuses on spiritual and moral guidance, it also acknowledges the practical realities of the modern world. The Pope highlighted the necessity of preserving the essence of human nature amid the rise of autonomous systems. This effort is part of a broader initiative to ensure that the evolution of intelligence does not come at the cost of human empathy, or morality.

The event in Vatican City serves as a formal call for global cooperation on AI ethics. By anchoring the new text in the legacy of Rerum novarum, the papacy positions the AI crisis not as a new phenomenon, but as the latest chapter in the long-standing struggle to balance economic and technical progress with social justice.

“"Magnifica humanitas" addresses the preservation of humanity in the era of artificial intelligence.”

The release of "Magnifica humanitas" signals the Catholic Church's intent to lead the global ethical conversation on AI, mirroring its historical role during the Industrial Revolution. By linking the document to Rerum novarum, the papacy is framing AI not merely as a technical tool, but as a socio-economic force that requires a systemic moral response to prevent the marginalization of human workers and the loss of individual agency.