Magnifica Humanitas

Pope Leo’s Encyclical on AI

Full title: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence

Published: May 25, 2026 | Signed: May 15, 2026

What it is

Magnifica Humanitas is Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, addressing human dignity and the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence. It invites reflection on the profound impacts that rapid technological advancement has on human work, social relations, and the common good of all people.

Historical context

Signing the encyclical on the 135th anniversary of Rerum Novarum — Pope Leo XIII’s historic 1891 letter on the rights of workers — was a deliberate choice. Just as Leo XIII addressed the disorientation of the industrial revolution, Leo XIV calls for moral clarity and solidarity in the midst of this latest societal transformation.

Key themes and positions

The encyclical particularly condemns the use of AI in warfare, stating that reducing human control of weaponry makes it harder to justify a war. Leo wrote that “The ‘just war’ theory which has all too often been used to justify any kind of war, is now outdated.” It also discourages an AI arms race and criticizes deepfakes in politics.

Pope Leo XIV wrote that technology is never neutral, arguing that humanity faces a choice between “constructing Babel and rebuilding Jerusalem” — between remote, prideful power and human-centered community. In the encyclical, he fires a broadside against AI companies, warning of the technology’s dangers in the same way Pope Francis did about climate change. The encyclical also offers apologies for the Catholic Church’s role in slavery, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by Tolkien is quoted within it.

Its presentation

Leo XIV chose to present the encyclical personally, unlike most other popes who delegated this task to cardinals. The presentation was attended by AI experts, including Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah.

Magnifica Humanitas

“The human person is the handiwork of God, endowed with reason and freedom.” — Pope Leo XIII

To speak of Magnificent Humanity is to proclaim the divine image within every soul. Pope Leo XIII taught that true progress unites faith and justice, labor and love, reason and grace. Human greatness is not measured by wealth or power, but by the capacity to reflect God’s truth and mercy in the world.

Let us renew the Church’s mission to form hearts and minds that build a civilization of love — a world radiant with Magnifica Humanitas, humanity fully alive in Christ.

The document focuses on protecting human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology.