Vance Calls Pope Leo’s AI Encyclical As ‘Very Profound’

Vance Calls Pope Leo’s AI Encyclical As ‘Very Profound’

Vance Calls Pope Leo’s AI Encyclical As ‘Very Profound’

https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2026/05/26/vance-praises-pope-leos-ai-warnings-as-very-profound/

Publish Date: 2026-05-26 15:06:00

Source Domain: www.forbes.com

  • Vice President JD Vance Praises Papal Encyclical: Vance, a Catholic convert, commended Pope Leo XIV’s “very profound” encyclical on the risks of AI, emphasizing its alignment with Catholic social teachings amidst new technologies and warfare, despite not having read the full document.

  • Pope’s Warnings on AI and Military Use: The encyclical, titled “Magnifica Humanitas,” expressed stark warnings about the dangers of AI in military operations, emphasizing the need for greater regulation to protect human dignity and moral judgment in technology.

  • Tensions Between Vatican and Washington: The praise comes amid heightened tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration, sparking debates on theological matters, especially regarding the pope’s anti-war comments that previously drew criticism from Trump and Vance.

  • Environmental Concerns on AI Data Centers: Pope Leo XIV highlighted the environmental impact of AI technology, particularly the enormous energy consumption of AI data centers, calling for more sustainable technological solutions and regulation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.