TL;DR
- Pope Leo XIV releasing encyclical on AI
- Focus on preserving human dignity
- Collaboration with AI co-founder Chris Olah
- Critics question AI’s personhood
- Encouragement for ethical tech discussions
In a bold move that’s sure to stir the pot, Pope Leo XIV is stepping into the tech ring with his upcoming encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas.” This groundbreaking document, set to drop on Monday, aims to tackle the pressing issue of human dignity in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. Talk about a holy intervention!
The Pope, who has been vocal about the potential threats AI poses to our humanity, will be joined by none other than Chris Olah, co-founder of the AI company Anthropic, at the Vatican City launch. This is no ordinary papal letter; it’s Leo’s first encyclical, a missive that will be sent to bishops worldwide, and it’s making waves before it’s even released.
“We are truly experiencing an eclipse of the sense of what it means to be human,” Leo declared at a recent Vatican conference on AI. He’s not mincing words here, folks. The Pope is sounding the alarm on how technology is being rolled out without regard for human values, and he’s calling for a serious reevaluation of our relationship with these digital tools.
Just days after his election in May 2025, Leo emphasized to the College of Cardinals that the Church has a unique role to play in addressing the challenges posed by AI. The encyclical is a nod to the teachings of his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, who tackled the social upheaval of the industrial revolution in his 1891 encyclical, “Rerum Novarum.” History repeating itself, anyone?
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In a strikingly modern twist, Leo XIV has also approved the formation of a new Vatican commission dedicated to discussing AI’s impact on humanity. This is a clear signal that the Church is not just sitting on the sidelines while the tech world races ahead. The encyclical, signed on May 15—coincidentally the 135th anniversary of “Rerum Novarum”—will be accompanied by a special address from the Pope himself. Expect a mix of traditional Catholic doctrine and fresh calls to action regarding AI.
Charles Camosy, a moral theology professor, suggests that this encyclical will reflect the Church’s long-standing teachings while also addressing the unique challenges posed by AI. “The very concept of the human seems up for grabs,” he warns, hinting that the Pope will firmly push back against any notion that AI could ever hold a candle to human dignity.
https://x.com/AmandaAskell/status/1995610570859704344?s=20
Olah, who will be at the unveiling, has called for a collective effort from all sectors—religions, civil society, and governments—to ensure that AI develops in a way that respects human dignity. Anthropic has been proactive in engaging with religious leaders, hosting discussions on how spirituality can inform AI development. But not everyone is on board with this tech-religion crossover.
Critics, including Will Jones from the Future of Life Institute, are skeptical about AI’s potential to possess personhood. He argues that while human dignity can be undermined by technology, it must be celebrated and protected. This sentiment is echoed by many theologians within the Vatican, who staunchly oppose the idea of AI having any semblance of a soul or personhood.
Paolo Benanti, a Franciscan friar and key AI advisor to the Pope, argues that human intelligence is sacred and distinct, characterized by moral reasoning and a pursuit of truth—qualities that no machine can replicate. “These are qualities of the soul—the ‘divine spark’—not the output of probabilistic computation,” he asserts.
As we await the release of this encyclical, one thing is clear: Pope Leo XIV is not just another figurehead. He’s ready to engage with one of the most pressing issues of our time and challenge the tech world to rethink its priorities. Will he succeed in preserving human dignity in the age of AI? Only time will tell, but we’re all ears for what the Pope has to say.