Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical on Monday, calling for the disarmament of artificial intelligence to protect human dignity [1, 2].
The move signals a significant moral intervention by the Catholic Church into the global tech race. By framing AI as a potential weapon of domination, the Pope is urging world leaders to prioritize ethics over geopolitical or commercial advantage.
The document, titled *Magnifica Humanitas*, warns against the rise of algorithmic warfare and the emergence of new forms of slavery [2, 3]. The Pope said that robust regulation of AI is needed to safeguard the future of humanity [4].
In the manifesto, the Pope addressed the risks of AI becoming a tool for power. "We must ensure that artificial intelligence serves humanity and does not become a tool of domination," he said [1].
The call for disarmament is presented as a necessary step to prevent tech-driven dominance. The Pope said that disarming AI is essential to prevent algorithmic warfare and protect human dignity [2].
This directive reaches a global audience of more than 1.3 billion Catholics [1]. The Vatican argues that without strict controls, the technology could undermine the inherent value of human life, creating a divide between those who control the algorithms and those controlled by them.
The encyclical was released from Vatican City on May 25, 2026 [4]. It positions the papacy as a mediator in the tension between rapid technological acceleration and the preservation of human rights.
“"We must ensure that artificial intelligence serves humanity and does not become a tool of domination."”
The issuance of *Magnifica Humanitas* elevates the debate over AI governance from a technical or legal issue to a fundamental moral crisis. By calling for 'disarmament,' the Vatican is treating AI not merely as a software tool but as a dual-use technology akin to nuclear weapons, suggesting that the risk of algorithmic warfare may require international treaties rather than simple corporate guidelines.
