Pope Leo Uses First Major Papal Text to Warn About Dangers of AI

Pope Leo XIV issued his first major theological text, the 42,300-word encyclical *Magnifica Humanitas*, on May 15, 2026, warning about the risks of artificial intelligence. The document, released at the Vatican, frames AI as a threat to human dignity, justice, and labor if left unchecked, while emphasizing that technology itself is not inherently antagonistic to humanity. Instead, Pope Leo calls for stronger ethical and political oversight, slower adoption rates, and rigorous evaluation to ensure AI remains aligned with human values. The encyclical marks a significant shift in the Vatican’s engagement with AI, following Pope Leo’s repeated warnings since his election about the technology’s potential to deepen inequality and erode human agency. He presented the document alongside Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, symbolizing a dialogue between the Church and the AI industry. The pope explicitly rejected outright opposition to innovation, stating that responsible care for humanity requires balancing progress with caution. Pope Leo XIV drew direct comparisons to his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, whose 1891 encyclical *Rerum Novarum* addressed the social consequences of the Industrial Revolution. The current pope frames AI as a ‘new industrial revolution,’ urging a similar approach to labor protections and ethical safeguards. The document positions itself as a foundational text for Catholic social teaching in the digital age, advocating for policies that prevent unregulated capitalism or unchecked technological dominance. While *Magnifica Humanitas* does not propose specific regulations, it calls on governments, corporations, and individuals to prioritize human well-being over unbridled technological advancement. The pope’s focus reflects growing concerns within the Church about AI’s impact on society, labor, and decision-making autonomy. The encyclical is expected to influence global debates on technology ethics, extending beyond Catholic circles.