Pope Leo XIV Prepares First Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence and Human Dignity

Pope Leo XIV will release his first encyclical on May 25, 2026, with a focus on artificial intelligence and its effects on truth, work, human dignity, and social trust.

The Vatican announced the document's release date earlier this month. The encyclical is expected to offer the Catholic Church's most detailed theological response yet to the rapid spread of AI technology.

The Pope also created a Vatican study group dedicated to artificial intelligence, signaling that the Church views AI as a major moral and spiritual issue of the current era.

In recent weeks, Pope Leo XIV has warned that AI could harm spiritual and intellectual development if not guided by ethical principles. He has called on world leaders and technology companies to place human dignity at the center of AI development.

The encyclical is anticipated to address several key concerns: the displacement of workers by automation, the spread of misinformation through AI-generated content, and the erosion of authentic human connection in an increasingly digital world.

Catholic scholars and theologians have been preparing responses to the document. Some expect the Pope to draw on the tradition of Catholic social teaching, which has long addressed the relationship between technology, labor, and human flourishing.

The release comes as AI regulation debates intensify in both the United States and Europe. The European Union's AI Act is moving toward broader implementation, and political pressure is growing in Washington for stronger oversight of advanced AI systems.

Pope Leo XIV has also been active on other global issues, including calling for peace in the Iran conflict and meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury in a historic Vatican encounter aimed at advancing Christian unity.

The encyclical will be available in multiple languages on the Vatican's official website on the day of release.