Pope Leo XIV to Publish First Encyclical on AI Dangers, Making Unprecedented Monday Appearance
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 22
Pope Leo XIV to Publish First Encyclical on AI Dangers, Making Unprecedented Monday Appearance
7 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 22
Monday will bring Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” a landmark teaching text focused on how artificial intelligence threatens human flourishing, labor and human dignity.
The document extends a theme Leo has pushed since his election a year ago, casting AI and the digital age as a new industrial revolution requiring Catholic social teaching.
Leo plans to appear personally at the news conference unveiling the encyclical — an unusual step that underscores the priority he is giving the issue.
By modeling the text on Leo XIII’s 1891 “Rerum Novarum,” the pope signals a broader effort to revive the church’s social-justice tradition rather than let sexual morality dominate its public witness.
Can a papal document on AI shift Catholicism's focus from sexual morality to modern social justice?
Will the Pope’s call for an AI treaty reshape the global technology race?
“Magnifica Humanitas”: Pope Leo XIV’s Historic 2026 Encyclical Sets Global Ethical Standards for Artificial Intelligence
Overview
On May 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV will personally present his first major encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, at the Vatican, marking a pivotal moment in both his papacy and the global conversation on artificial intelligence. This document signals the Pope’s urgent concern about the rapid rise of AI and highlights the critical importance he places on its ethical challenges. By directly addressing these issues, Magnifica Humanitas aims to guide society in ensuring that technological progress respects human dignity and serves the common good, establishing the Church as a key moral voice in the digital age.