Investigating claim Pope Leo XIV used AI to write encyclical about dangers of AI

In May 2026, speculation arose that Pope Leo XIV authored his first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas*, with AI assistance, despite its warnings about AI risks. The claim originated from a Substack post by AI researcher Linch Zhang, later covered by *The Verge*, which cited Pangram’s analysis—a tool that detected 94% human origin, 4% AI-generated, and 2% AI-assisted text in the document. Zhang’s post highlighted statistical evidence but noted uncertainty, as Pangram’s findings were not definitive. The tool showed no AI traces in Leo’s earlier speeches or other popes’ encyclicals, where AI tools were unavailable. Zhang emphasized that Vatican officials, not Leo himself, might have used AI, though no direct confirmation exists. The rumor gained traction after *The Verge* published an article questioning AI’s role, prompting widespread online discussion. Pangram’s accuracy has faced criticism, complicating the claim’s validity. Snopes reached out to the Vatican press office, *The Verge*, and Zhang for comment but received no response, leaving the claim unproven. The encyclical itself calls for AI to be ‘disarmed’ and directed toward the ‘common good,’ contrasting the irony of potential AI use in its creation. Without Vatican confirmation, the debate remains unresolved, relying solely on indirect statistical analysis.