Pope Leo XIV Releases First Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence, Warns Against Dehumanization

Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, titled Magnifica Humanitas, in late May 2026, calling for ethical guardrails on artificial intelligence and warning against technologies that strip people of their dignity.

The document addresses the rapid expansion of AI across industries and governments. The pope argues that technology must serve human flourishing, not replace or diminish it. He specifically warns against autonomous weapons systems and surveillance tools used to control populations.

U.S. bishops praised the encyclical for its grounding in Catholic social teaching. Vice President JD Vance also responded publicly, calling the document a thoughtful contribution to the national conversation on AI regulation.

The encyclical drew attention from tech executives and policymakers. Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft have all faced questions in recent weeks about the ethical dimensions of their AI deployments.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has Black Creole roots that historians confirmed earlier this year. His election in 2025 drew global attention, and Magnifica Humanitas is his first major doctrinal statement.

The document also touches on the Vatican's historical role in colonialism and slavery, with the pope calling for continued reflection and accountability. He frames the AI moment as a test of whether humanity will repeat past mistakes of prioritizing power over people.

Faith communities across denominations have begun studying the encyclical. Several Protestant leaders, including Russell Moore, have called it essential reading for Christians navigating questions about technology and ethics.