Pope to release major artificial intelligence manifesto

Pope Leo XIV will release his encyclical on artificial intelligence titled “Magnifica Humanitas” on May 25, addressing ethical and social challenges as AI rapidly develops globally.
The encyclical marks the first time a Pope will attend the Vatican presentation in person, accompanied by key experts, including a co-founder of the AI company Anthropic.
Pope Leo has openly denounced the use of AI in military applications, warning that delegating life and death decisions to machines is “destructive.”
He has consistently expressed concern over AI’s potential to simulate reality, replace human roles, and contribute to environmental harm.
The encyclical aims to provide guidance on protecting humanity in the AI era and is seen as an extension of the Church’s social teachings established during the Industrial Revolution.
Pope Leo emphasizes the need for digital literacy, transparency in algorithms, and education to properly understand and use AI technologies responsibly.
The document is anticipated to be as influential as Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si,” a 2015 encyclical on climate change that sparked global reactions.
The Vatican’s focus on AI regulation follows a call for ethical AI use since 2020, beginning with the Rome Appeal, and continues the legacy set by his predecessor, Pope Francis.

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