Pope Leo XIV has issued his first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, calling on the world to place the dignity of the human person at the centre of the rapidly developing age of artificial intelligence.
Released by the Vatican on Monday, 25 May 2026, the encyclical, whose title translates as “The Greatness of Humanity”, reflects on the opportunities and dangers presented by AI, while reaffirming the Church’s enduring commitment to human dignity, solidarity, justice, and the common good.
The document bears the Pope’s signature dated 15 May, marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum, the landmark encyclical of Pope Leo XIII widely regarded as the foundation of modern Catholic social teaching. That historic document addressed the social and economic upheaval brought about by the industrial revolution. In Magnifica humanitas, Pope Leo XIV draws a parallel with the technological revolution unfolding today.
One of the earliest themes of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate has been the moral and spiritual implications of artificial intelligence. In this first encyclical, he warns that technological progress must never come at the expense of the human person, especially the poor and vulnerable.
The Pope writes that humanity must approach AI with wisdom, responsibility, and ethical clarity, insisting that technological advancement alone cannot define authentic human progress. As the encyclical states, “more powerful does not necessarily mean better.”
Rather than rejecting technological innovation, Pope Leo XIV encourages its use in ways that genuinely serve humanity. The encyclical emphasises that technologies created through human creativity and intelligence must remain directed toward “truly human ends” and should never be used to reinforce injustice, exploit workers, deepen inequality, or concentrate power in the hands of a few.
Throughout the document, the Holy Father repeatedly returns to the Christian understanding of the human person as created in the image and likeness of God. He argues that this truth must remain the guiding principle in political, economic, and technological decision-making.
The Vatican formally presented Magnifica humanitas at a gathering in the Synod Hall on the day of its release. The event reflected the wide-ranging importance of the encyclical, bringing together Church leaders, theologians, ethicists, and leading voices in the field of artificial intelligence.
Among those taking part were Víctor Manuel Fernández, Michael Czerny, theologian Anna Rowlands, AI researcher Christopher Olah, and Leocadie Lushombo. Closing remarks were delivered by Pietro Parolin before an address and blessing from the Pope.
In England and Wales, Richard Moth, President of the Bishops’ Conference, welcomed the publication of the encyclical and described it as “an important contribution to integral human development during a time of considerable change.”
He noted that the Church’s rich tradition of Catholic social teaching continues to provide guidance in responding to the challenges posed by new technologies, adding that the development of AI must always uphold “the centrality of humanity above all else.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has also announced the establishment of a working group to study the encyclical and reflect on the ethical and pastoral questions raised by artificial intelligence.
As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate, Magnifica humanitas signals a clear intention to engage directly with some of the defining issues of the modern age. Rooted firmly in the Church’s social teaching tradition while addressing the realities of emerging technology, the encyclical offers both a warning and a hopeful vision: that human dignity, solidarity, and the common good must remain at the heart of every technological advance.
