Pope Leo, Anthropic co-founder call for church-tech ethics partnership at 'Magnifica Humanitas' release

Pope Leo XIV made history on May 25, 2026, by releasing his first encyclical, *Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence*, in a joint event with Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah at the Vatican. The unprecedented collaboration brought together the Catholic Church and a leading AI researcher, underscoring the urgency of ethical oversight in AI development. Olah, a 33-year-old atheist tech leader, joined Pope Leo XIV and cardinals to advocate for dialogue between tech leaders and moral authorities, warning that commercial and geopolitical pressures often blind industry insiders to broader risks. The encyclical, presented in the Vatican’s Synod Hall, critiques the rapid, unchecked technological advancement that exacerbates contemporary crises. Olah stressed the need for external perspectives, stating that tech leaders must engage with voices uninfluenced by financial incentives or competitive pressures. He praised the Vatican’s initiative, calling it a vital step toward balancing innovation with ethical responsibility. A senior Vatican source described the invitation to Olah as a deliberate signal of the Church’s commitment to engaging with global tech dialogues. The event drew diplomats, academics, and high-ranking Church officials, including Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch. Franciscan theologian Fr. Paolo Benanti, a key Vatican advisor on AI ethics, exchanged a handshake and thumbs-up with Olah before the presentation. Olah’s remarks highlighted the dangers of unchecked ambition in AI, emphasizing that collaboration between tech developers and ethical critics is essential to navigating the technology’s challenges. Anthropic, valued at approximately $900 billion, has become a focal point in debates over AI’s future. Olah’s participation reflected the Vatican’s recognition of the need for tech leaders to account for societal impacts beyond profit. Pope Leo XIV framed the encyclical as a moral call to action, urging the Church to lend its authority to safeguarding humanity amid technological disruption. The partnership signals a broader effort to integrate ethical frameworks into AI governance, bridging the gap between innovation and moral accountability.