Pope Leo is set to issue the first major text of his papacy, an encyclical addressing the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, with a focus on human dignity. The document, titled Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), will be presented at the Vatican on 25 May in a public event featuring Christopher Olah, co-founder of the US-based AI firm Anthropic.
Encyclical Details and Themes
The Vatican announced on Monday that the encyclical will address “the protection of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.” This marks a departure from tradition, as the pope will personally attend the presentation alongside lay speakers, including Olah, theologians Anna Rowlands and Léocadie Lushombo. Encyclicals are among the highest forms of papal teaching, outlining priorities for the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion members.
Pope Leo is expected to examine how AI impacts workers’ rights and criticize its use in warfare. Andrea Vreede, a Vatican correspondent for NOS, noted: “His encyclical is going to be a response to the dazzlingly rapid technological revolution that is happening right now. He will say things like AI shouldn’t be used in warfare, but he will also try to be positive and offer workable answers to modern challenges.”
Historical Significance
The pope signed the document on 15 May, exactly 135 years after Pope Leo XIII signed his landmark encyclical on the Industrial Revolution, which addressed workers’ rights and capitalism. Vreede highlighted this parallel: “The fact that Leo signed the document on the same date as Leo XIII signed his encyclical is significant. The 1891 document was a response to the Industrial Revolution, and this one addresses the technological revolution.”
Christopher White, author of Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy and senior fellow at Georgetown University, emphasized the Vatican’s longstanding engagement with AI. “Leo’s new encyclical is likely to build on that tradition – not from a perspective of doomerism but one of caution that as technology advances, the human person should be kept at the centre of the discussion,” he said. White added that the pope will likely raise concerns about the dignity of work, workers’ rights, and the need for stringent regulation, including a ban on lethal autonomous weapons.
Strategic Presentation
Traditionally, encyclicals are presented by cardinals. However, this event will include lay speakers and the pope’s attendance, a strategic move to attract media attention. Vreede commented: “That’s a very clever strategic communication move, because if the cardinals do it, nobody really listens, but if the pope is there, all the cameras will be there, and we will all listen.” The main presenters will still be top cardinals, including doctrine chief Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández and development chief Cardinal Michael Czerny.
The encyclical comes as Anthropic is involved in a high-profile lawsuit with the Trump administration over AI ethics, adding further significance to Olah’s participation.
