Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical on Monday, calling for the regulation and potential “disarming” of artificial intelligence [1, 2].
The document signals a significant intervention by the Vatican into the global debate over technology governance. By framing AI as a fundamental threat to human dignity, the Pope is urging a shift in how governments and developers prioritize the common good over technical advancement.
Titled “Magnifica Humanitas,” the encyclical spans 245 paragraphs [3]. In the text, the Pope said artificial intelligence is the biggest challenge currently facing humanity [1, 4]. He said humans must remain central to the decision-making process and that technology should not supersede human value [1, 4].
The Pope’s call for action ranges from the implementation of robust regulatory frameworks to the more radical concept of “disarming” AI [1, 5]. This approach suggests that certain capabilities of the technology may be too dangerous to exist without strict constraints.
“This moment needs words capable of attracting attention,” Pope Leo XIV said [2].
The encyclical urges a global effort to ensure that the development of AI does not erode the social fabric, or diminish the role of human judgment. The document suggests that without such safeguards, the rapid deployment of these systems could lead to outcomes that jeopardize the common good [1, 4].
“AI is the biggest challenge facing humanity”
The issuance of “Magnifica Humanitas” represents a strategic move by the Catholic Church to position itself as a moral arbiter in the tech sector. By calling for the 'disarming' of AI, the Vatican is moving beyond simple ethical guidelines and advocating for a global restrictive regime similar to nuclear non-proliferation treaties, emphasizing human agency over algorithmic efficiency.
