Pope Leo XIV Issues First Encyclical Calling for AI Regulation

Pope Leo XIV on Monday released his first encyclical, calling for strong legal oversight of artificial intelligence and urging developers to prioritize the common good over profit. -born pontiff presented the text, titled “Magnifica Humanitas,” at the Vatican. The document applies Catholic social teaching to questions of work, warfare, and data concentration.

” He said a morality shaped by a few companies is inadequate. The pope stated it is “not permissible” to give AI systems authority over irreversible lethal decisions. He described the Church’s traditional “just war” criteria as outdated in light of current technology.

Leo traced parallels to Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical “Rerum Novarum,” which addressed workers’ rights during the Industrial Revolution. He signed the new text on May 15, the anniversary of that earlier document.

The Vatican invited the co-founder of Anthropic to the presentation. U.S. agencies were ordered to stop using its technology. U.S. faith liaison for the nonprofit Future of Life Institute, said the invitation reflected recognition of Anthropic’s influence rather than an endorsement.

” Taylor Black, a Microsoft AI executive and director of Catholic University of America’s AI institute, said the text prompts reflection on what it means to be human. Leo also issued the first papal apology for the Holy See’s historical role in authorizing slavery, extending the document’s focus on human dignity.