Pope Leo XIV Issues Document on AI and Slavery Apology

Pope Leo XIV released an encyclical on May 15 titled Magnifica Humanitas that calls for governments to slow AI development and establish oversight mechanisms. The text warns that AI can spread misinformation, prioritize conflict, and contribute to autonomous weapons systems that operate beyond human control.

XIV urged the creation of legal frameworks, independent oversight bodies, and informed users, stating that political systems should not abdicate responsibility. He compared unchecked AI development to the biblical Tower of Babel, warning against enterprises that seek to reach heaven without divine blessing.

Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah attended the Vatican event and said companies face commercial pressures that can conflict with ethical decisions.

In the same document, Pope Leo XIV apologized for the Holy See's historical role in legitimizing slavery and for failing to condemn it for centuries. The apology links past practices to what the document describes as new forms of slavery and colonialism connected to digital technologies. The encyclical was issued on the 135th anniversary of the 1891 document Rerum Novarum.