Pope Leo XIV issued an encyclical on May 29, 2026 [1], warning about the risks of artificial intelligence and calling for stronger ethical regulation.
The document arrives as global leaders and tech firms race to develop more powerful AI systems. By addressing the intersection of faith, ethics, and technology, the Vatican aims to influence the global regulatory framework and prioritize human dignity over corporate profit.
In the encyclical, titled “Magnifica Humanitas” [3], the Pope warns against a “culture of power” [2] that is driving an unchecked race toward AI dominance. He said the current trajectory of development lacks the necessary ethical reflection to ensure technology serves humanity rather than controlling it.
The Holy Father urged the international community to shape AI development responsibly. He said that without robust oversight, the pursuit of technical efficiency could erode the essential soft skills and brain health of society [2].
The Vatican's call for regulation has sparked a variety of reactions from intellectuals and critics. Francine Prose, writing in The Guardian, expressed gratitude for the Pope's stance on the limitations of machine creativity. She said, "No algorithm is going to write Anna Karenina" [1].
Issued from the Vatican in Rome, the encyclical does not call for a total ban on the technology. Instead, it advocates for a human-centric approach to innovation that protects workers, and prevents the concentration of power in the hands of a few tech giants [2].
“No algorithm is going to write Anna Karenina”
The issuance of 'Magnifica Humanitas' signals the Catholic Church's intent to act as a moral arbiter in the AI era. By framing the AI race as a 'culture of power,' the Vatican is moving beyond technical concerns to argue that unregulated AI represents a systemic threat to human agency and social cohesion, potentially aligning the Church with global movements calling for stricter AI governance.
