On May 25, Pope Leo XIV released a groundbreaking document about artificial intelligence. It’s called Magnifica Humanitas, which means “Magnificent Humanity.” It is his first encyclical, a letter usually reserved for big moral and social issues. This time, the topic is AI and human dignity.

The pope signed the document on May 15, exactly 135 years after a similar encyclical called Rerum Novarum. That letter, from Pope Leo XIII, addressed the industrial revolution’s impact on workers. It called for justice and fair treatment as machines changed the world. The new encyclical draws a clear line from that moment to today’s AI revolution.

The pope isn’t just warning about AI as technology. He’s asking us to think about how AI affects people’s dignity, creativity, and meaningful work. He says AI shouldn’t replace humans or make us passive consumers of “unthought thoughts.” Instead, it must serve humanity, not control it.

The Vatican did something unusual at the launch. Pope Leo XIV appeared alongside Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, an AI safety company. Olah is known for studying how neural networks think and for pushing transparency in AI decisions. This partnership signals the Church wants to engage AI creators, not just criticize them.

One key message is about power concentration. The pope warns that when AI is controlled by a few powerful companies or countries, it risks increasing inequality and manipulation. This echoes the concerns from the industrial era but with a modern twist: AI can shape what people see and believe. It can influence elections and economic systems.

Human Dignity at the Core

The encyclical insists human dignity cannot depend on productivity or intelligence alone. The Church grounds dignity in the belief that every person is made in the image of God. This is important because AI systems may treat people as data points or tasks to optimize. The pope calls for AI to respect the unique value of each person.

He also highlights risks to children and education. AI tools must not replace human teachers or mentors. Human creativity and personal growth happen through real human connection, not just algorithms. The pope warns against overreliance on AI that could stunt intellectual and emotional development.

AI and the Threat of Autonomous Weapons

The encyclical speaks strongly against autonomous weapons—AI systems that decide who lives or dies without human oversight. The pope says this breaks a fundamental rule of just war: humans must always be morally responsible for lethal decisions. The Vatican has called for a global ban on such weapons.

Anthropic’s stand on military use of AI matches this. The company refused to give unrestricted access of its technology to the U.S. Department of Defense, facing government pushback. The pope’s support of Anthropic shows the Church’s commitment to ethical AI development.

This document is more than a religious declaration. The Catholic Church has 1.4 billion members and global influence. Papal teachings have shaped labor laws, environmental policies, and social justice. This encyclical could strengthen AI regulations in Europe, Latin America, and beyond.

It also reflects growing public unease. Many people oppose building AI data centers in their communities. Governments have been slow to regulate AI’s rapid growth. The pope’s call for clear oversight and broad participation in AI governance answers this gap.

Ultimately, Magnifica Humanitas reminds us that AI is not just about tools and algorithms. It is about what kind of future we want for humanity. The pope challenges developers, governments, and society to build AI that uplifts human dignity and respects our shared values.

The question now is whether people will listen. Will this moral framework shape the AI systems of tomorrow? The pope’s encyclical shows the conversation about AI must include ethics, faith, and the voices of all people—not just tech elites.