Vatican Releases Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence and Human Dignity
Pope Leo released a papal encyclical on May 25, 2026, addressing artificial intelligence and its relationship to human dignity. The document calls on governments and technology companies to ensure AI development respects the value of every person.
Pope Leo released a papal encyclical on May 25, 2026, focused on artificial intelligence and what the Catholic Church calls the irreducible dignity of the human person.
The document, released through the Vatican, addresses the rapid spread of AI systems in healthcare, employment, education, and public life. It calls on governments, corporations, and individuals to ensure that AI tools serve human flourishing rather than replace or diminish it.
The encyclical warns against systems that reduce people to data points or that make consequential decisions about human lives without meaningful human oversight. It also raises concerns about AI-generated content that could spread misinformation or erode trust in public institutions.
Catholic Culture reported that the document draws on earlier church teaching about technology and labor, while applying those principles to the specific challenges posed by machine learning and autonomous systems.
Church leaders in the United States and Europe welcomed the encyclical. Several bishops said it gives parishes and schools a framework for discussing AI with their communities.
The Vatican said the document is intended for Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and that it will be translated into dozens of languages for global distribution.
