Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," on May 25, 2026. This document addresses the protection of human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. In the encyclical, the Pope reflects on the Church's social doctrine and emphasizes the importance of promoting the dignity of work, social justice, and peace. He also discusses the issue of hybrid warfare and condemns the misuse of God's name to justify acts of war.
According to Vatican News, the Pope signed a significant document on May 15, marking the 135th anniversary of Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum (published in 1891). The current Pope continues the legacy of his predecessor by addressing one of the major challenges of our time: artificial intelligence, through his social encyclical titled Magnifica Humanitas.
The encyclical, which consists of five chapters, asserts that technology is not a force antagonistic to humanity, nor is it inherently evil. However, it is not neutral, because "it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it." Therefore, the Pope emphasizes the need to "remain human" by adhering to the principles of courageous co-responsibility, subsidiarity, and communion. He suggests that this approach will allow the world “to recognize the human heart as the place where God desires to dwell.”
The central message of Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical is the protection of human dignity, emphasizing that a person should never be regarded as a resource to be exploited.
Leo XIV identifies five key principles of the Church’s social doctrine. The first is the common good, which he describes as “the social form of dignity recognized for everyone.” He states, “the promotion of the common good can never be separated from respect for the right of peoples to exist, to preserve their own identity and to contribute their unique qualities to the family of nations.” Thus, "any attempt or plan to eliminate or subjugate a nation is gravely immoral and therefore unacceptable."
In his new encyclical, the Pope emphasizes that technology must not be concentrated in the hands of a few.
Following this, the third and fourth principles emerge: subsidiarity, which calls for overcoming paternalism and assistentialism in favor of shared responsibility, and solidarity, defined as “a principle and a virtue” that opposes indifference while considering the interests of both current and future generations.
The fifth principle emphasized by the Pope is social justice. In the digital age, this principle must ensure equal access to opportunities for everyone, protect the most vulnerable, combat hatred and misinformation, and subject the use of data and technology to public scrutiny. The focus should not be solely on profit, but on "the dignity of every person and the common good of all people."
A crucial test in this area, as Pope Leo XIII noted, is the situation of migrants, refugees, and displaced persons. The Pope advocates for preserving their “right to hope” by providing safe and legal routes for their journeys, ensuring a dignified welcome, and facilitating their integration into society.
Additionally, the Holy Father calls for “purifying ecclesial relationships and structures from distortions that give rise to inequality, lack of transparency, and abuse of power.” This includes a commitment to listen to the voices of the “victims of spiritual, economic, institutional, sexual and power-based abuse, as well as abuses of conscience.” Addressing these issues is essential to pursuing justice.
The Pope notes that a common ethical code regarding AI is needed.
AI, the Pope emphasizes, must be approached with sobriety and vigilance: “A more moral AI is not enough if that morality is determined by a few. Nor should the environmental impact of new technologies be overlooked, since they require large quantities of energy and water, affecting Creation."
AI must be disarmed, as Leo XIV insists, to free it from the logic of military, economic, and cognitive competition; to dismantle the equation of technical power with the right to power; to wrest it from the control of monopolies and prevent it from dominating humanity.
The Pope warns: Technological progress must not lead to a regression of the heart: “The stakes are high: to develop technology by removing human limitations means, in essence, to bring about a regression of the heart. Humanity — in all its grandeur and woundedness — must never be replaced or surpassed.’”
Central to the encyclical is a call for a renewed educational alliance, so that young people do not lose their “desire to ask questions” because of sophisticated machines that might make human thinking seem unnecessary.
The Pope emphasizes: Work must be centered on the person, not on profit. This is about protecting the dignity and value of work.
“The ‘new ways’ of working are not necessarily better,” the Pope explains, noting that technology can lead to the de-skilling of workers, assign them to secondary functions, and expose them to automated surveillance. Instead, it is essential to develop systems that prioritize people over mere productivity. Furthermore, the Pope advocates for the renewal of trade unions.
Another key message of the Encyclical is that development should not be measured solely by GDP indicators. The Pope stresses the importance of looking beyond GDP as a measure of a country's progress, advocating a focus on the dignity of work, the common good, reducing inequality, and environmental protection. In fact, finance driven solely by profit differs fundamentally from finance that supports true development.
The encyclical emphasizes the importance of the family, which is defined as a stable union between a man and a woman. It is described as the “primary social good” and the “fundamental and irreplaceable cell of every community organization” that must be supported through effective labor policies.
In the fifth and final chapter, titled “The Culture of Power and the Civilization of Love,” Leo XIV addresses the issue of war. He states, “the digital revolution is changing the nature of conflict,” and warns that without an ethical approach, decisions about human life and death may become increasingly impersonal, with the use of force viewed as an “immediate and viable option.” At the core of this issue is a “culture of power” that normalizes war and positions it as an “instrument of international politics,” leading to rearmament. Today, peace is often perceived merely as a temporary pause between conflicts. Thus, Leo XIV underscores that while the right to legitimate self-defense should be maintained, it is essential to move beyond the theory of “just war” and instead promote dialogue, diplomacy, and forgiveness.
The encyclical boldly condemns the rise of the military-industrial complex, the nuclear arms race, and the emergence of new armed groups, including jihadists, who perpetuate conflicts for power and financial gain.
The Pope issues a clear warning against the use of AI-enabled weapons, asserting that “there is no algorithm that can make war morally acceptable.” He calls for strict ethical restrictions agreed upon at the international level, grounded in personal responsibility and the protection of civilians. He argues that “any technology that facilitates attacks without seeing the face of human beings lowers the moral threshold of conflict.”
The Pope expresses hope for “profound reforms” of the United Nations and the international political system to overcome the current crisis of values in favor of the true common good.
The encyclical notes that “hybrid” wars are currently being waged, which involve economic, financial, and informational tactics, utilizing disinformation and fear to influence public opinion and portraying increased military spending as the “only response” to an uncertain future.
The Pope stresses that Christians are called to counter this culture of power by fostering a “civilization of love.” Each individual, in their own capacity, must decide whether to contribute to the logic of power or to uphold peace.
He delineates five “paths of responsibility”: disarming words by speaking the truth; building peace in justice; adopting the perspective of victims by taking a stand, since neutrality is not an option in certain conflicts; acknowledging that attacks on civilians, hospitals, and infrastructure cause profound harm to humanity and cannot be subject to abstract analysis. Instead, we must amplify the voices of victims to truly understand the “abyss of evil contained” in war and all forms of violence. Furthermore, the Pope calls for a “healthy realism” that seeks practical paths to peace, rather than mere rhetoric.
Moreover, the Pope explicitly urges that God's name must not be invoked to justify war. He warns, “those who use the name of God to legitimize terrorism, violence, or war betray His true nature,” noting that waging war in the name of religion ultimately "means attacking religion itself". This leads to a call for prayer, recognizing that true peace comes primarily from God.
In conclusion, the Holy Father urges the faithful to reflect on new technologies through the lens of the Gospel. He encourages adherence to “a sober yet demanding program of Christian life,” so that even in the age of artificial intelligence, all may “bear witness to the grandeur of humanity, in which God has made His dwelling.”