() is the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, concerned with "safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligence" (AI). It was published on 25 May 2026.
Leo chose to present the encyclical personally at the Vatican, unlike most other popes who delegated this task to cardinals. The presentation was attended by AI experts, including Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah.
The encyclical argues for placing dignity of the human person at the center of all reflection and, in turn, making it the fundamental criterion guiding technological progress and the assessment of its social, cultural, and moral consequences. It also asserts that human experience, expression, and intelligence are divine creations, not comparable to artificial intelligence systems which are optimized according to technocratic principles.
The encyclical affirms the principles of the Church's social doctrine—particularly common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity—as tools to be used for interpreting the ongoing transformation. Faced with the risk of a culture consumed by power, domination, and war, the document proposes the alternative possibility of a civilization of love founded on justice, dialogue, and shared responsibility.
Title The title Magnifica humanitas evokes the greatness and centrality of the human person. The encyclical connects this dignity to its theological foundation: the human person as created in the image and likeness of God and called to live in relationship and communion.
The encyclical is subtitled On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, and directly addresses "anthropological" and social questions.
Moreover, the title recalls the Magnificat, the canticle pronounced by Mary in . This initial biblical and spiritual reference recalls Mary as an icon of humble faith and hope. Within the context of the encyclical, this Marian theme invites Christians to persevere in prayer and to become "weavers of hope" even in the darkest moments of history.
Background and release
Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV expressed concerns regarding the rise of artificial intelligence, the crises of human dignity, and multilateralism. The date of the encyclical's publication was selected to fall on the 135th anniversary of the publication of Rerum novarum, the landmark encyclical regarding industrialisation written by Pope Leo XIII.
The choice of 15 May, the anniversary of Rerum novarum, has symbolic significance. By choosing the name Leo, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost indicated his desire to place his pontificate in continuity with the path opened by Leo XIII and with the social magisterium inaugurated by the 1891 encyclical, commonly regarded as one of the foundational texts of the modern social doctrine of the Church. Magnifica humanitas, in continuity with this tradition, recalls Rerum Novarum and reinterprets its social concern in light of the transformations being brought about by artificial intelligence. Its theological reflection is rooted in the principles and foundations of social doctrine, as the criteria for discerning the challenges of the present time.
The theme of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical—namely the safeguarding of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence—follows reflections already undertaken by the Holy See on this subject. As early as 2019, the conversation began within the Roman Curia concerning the social, ethical, and political implications of the changes brought about by digital technologies, including artificial intelligence. At that time, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) and the Pontifical Council for Culture (PCC) convened a seminar of experts to foster an in-depth debate on the theme of the common good in the digital age. Two years later, the same bodies organized a conference entitled "Promoting Integral Human Development and Peace in the Digital Age. New Technologies in the Post-Covid World." At the center of the discussion was how the pandemic and the consequent lockdown had accelerated the process of digitalization, concluding that, while, on the one hand, this development made remote access to various social services possible, on the other hand, it did not allow sufficient time either for ethical reflection or for comprehensive legislative regulation.
A more developed reflection on the future of artificial intelligence came in January 2024 through the message of Pope Francis for the World Day of Peace, entitled "Artificial Intelligence and Peace". There, Francis reflects on the progress of science and technology as a path toward peace and also addresses the ethical dimension of AI, including issues regarding privacy, bias, and the impact of AI on human dignity, encouraging people to confront the challenges of education and the development of international law.
Wanting one of the top four AI companies to attend, the Vatican invited Anthropic, due to its perceived priority of ethics. Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah was invited to speak at the Vatican's presentation of the encyclical on 25 May 2026. Upon reading the pope's stance against AI in an advance copy of the encyclical, Olah considered pulling Anthropic from the presentation. Olah praised the Vatican's role as "informed critics" and the beginning of a "long collaboration between those of us who are building this and those who can see what we, from inside, cannot". The other experts speaking at the presentation alongside Leo XIV were Professor Anna Rowlands, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Cardinal Michael Czerny, and Professor Léocadie Lushombo.
Contents The encyclical is subtitled "Safeguarding the Human Person in the Age of artificial intelligence". Within the introduction, Leo XIV describes the state of the encyclical addresses:We are living through a rapid phase of transition, a "change of era," in which — while some are vying for the future of new technologies and others dedicate themselves to reflecting on the matter — most people are watching and waiting, observing from afar and merely hoping for the best. For this very reason, crucial questions impose themselves on our conscience and can no longer be avoided: Where are we going? Toward what goal do we wish to orient ourselves? What direction should we choose as a people and as a human community?
Structure The document is organised as follows:
Introduction (sections 1–16) Chapter One: A Dynamic Approach Faithful To The Gospel (sections 17–45) Chapter Two: Foundations And Principles Of The Social Doctrine Of The Church (sections 46–89) Chapter Three: Technology And Dominance. The Grandeur Of Humanity In Light Of The Promises Of AI (sections 90–130) Chapter Four: Safeguarding Humanity At A Time Of Transformation. Truth, Work, Freedom (sections 131–181) Chapter Five: The Culture Of Power And The Civilization Of Love (182–228) Conclusion (sections 229–245)
Major themes
Introduction: Church doctrine and "discernment"
Leo XIV begins his encyclical with a recapitulation of the development of Catholic faith from Rerum novarum through Vatican II and into the 21st Century pontificates of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis (the "recent Magisterium"). He notes how the focus on work in Rerum novarum is taken up and expanded in Pope Pius XI's Quadragesimo anno "to encompass the overall structure of the economic and political order" as seen in its theory on the principle of subsidiarity.
This discussion continues through a statement of foundations and principles for Catholic social teaching. This includes Christian doctrines (that humanity is made in the image of God, and that God entered human history through the incarnation of Jesus), as well as humanistic principles (such as social equality and universal human rights). Leo notes how the encyclicals of Paul VI and John Paul II (Populorum progressio and Sollicitudo rei socialis) each stressed "integral" human development, meaning development that can "foster the development of each man and of the whole man."
Technological advancement and the great "construction sites" of our era
The central portion of reflects upon humanity's newest technologies: including artificial intelligence, cognitive science, nanotechnology, robotics and biotechnology. The encyclical cites Laudato si' for its criticisms of the view of technocracy and the belief that the development of technology is morally neutral; instead he calls for questioning technology's purpose and direction.
Artificial intelligence The bulk of the discussion of technology in Magnifica humanitas concerns artificial intelligence. Noting first that Antiqua et nova previously explored the ethics of artificial intelligence in depth, Leo XIV states his task as "recalling a few essential elements for a moral and social discernment that safeguards the primacy of the human person", first attacking the notion of artificial intelligence having sentience and consciousness.
Continuing, Magnifica humanitas admits that AI "can be a valuable tool" but at the same time demands a "measured and vigilant approach" and details such an approach.
Supporting the "disarming" of artificial intelligence, the encyclical opposes artificial intelligence arms race and use of artificial intelligence in warfare, stating that reduced human control of weaponry makes it easier to begin wars. Leo writes that consequently, Catholic just war theory ("which has all too often been used to justify any kind of war"), has become "outdated". Addressing transhumanism, posthumanism and pursuit of human–machine hybrids, Leo XIV calls to "integrate technology within a human-centered, relational vision" and warns against "an outlook that devalues human limits and promises a purely technical form of 'salvation. Stating that "only the shared pursuit of the veracity of facts, perceived as a common good, can provide a solid foundation for just communication" the encyclical criticizes deepfakes and similar disinformation attacks. In response to such threats, the encyclical calls for "an ecology of communication" and "an educational alliance" to address media literacy. Against technologies and policies that make people "less human" and reduce human dignity, Leo XIV restates the Catholic doctrine of dignity of labour which he argues is inherent to finding purpose and fulfillment, promoting employment and labour rights.
"The limit, the heart and the grandeur of the human person" A subsection of the encyclical consists of examples of human achievement both in spite and because of its "fundamental finitude".
Individuals
Civil rights activists and humanitarians Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela "Generous women" Saint Laura Montoya, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Dorothy Day, Marie Skłodowska-Curie, Maria Montessori, Elisabeth Elliot, Wangari Maathai, and Benazir Bhutto "Martyrs of fraternity and justice" including Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Saint Oscar Romero, Blessed Enrique Angelelli, and Venerable Francis-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận
Works of art
Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 Guernica by Pablo Picasso Schindler's List by Steven Spielberg
Humanitarian organizations and documents
The International Committee of the Red Cross The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1951 Refugee Convention
Safeguarding humanity