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TL;DR
Pope Leo XIV issued an encyclical warning that AI is never neutral and reflects its creators’ characteristics. He personally presented the document at the Vatican, with Anthropic’s co-founder in attendance, signaling a focus on safety and accountability in AI development.
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, was publicly presented at the Vatican on May 15, 2024, emphasizing that artificial intelligence is never neutral but reflects those who develop and control it. The Pope’s personal involvement and the presence of AI experts, including Anthropic’s co-founder, underscore the Church’s urgent call for ethical oversight and accountability in AI development.
The encyclical, titled Magnifica humanitas, explicitly states that technology, including AI, is shaped by its creators and is not inherently good or evil. The document warns against concentrated power in AI, emphasizing that its development should serve the common good and adhere to shared ethical standards. Pope Leo XIV’s presentation was notable for its direct engagement with industry representatives, particularly Anthropic, a company known for prioritizing AI safety and interpretability. The choice of Anthropic, and the absence of other major tech firms like OpenAI or Google DeepMind, reflects the Vatican’s focus on safety and responsibility in AI development.
The Pope’s encyclical also discusses how AI impacts work, warning that automation can diminish human dignity if it forces workers to adapt to machines rather than support human effort. It condemns the use of AI in warfare, asserting that no algorithm can morally justify conflict and that the old doctrine of just war must evolve toward dialogue and diplomacy. The document frames AI as a challenge comparable to the Industrial Revolution, calling for a moral response to technological upheaval.
Technology is never neutral — and neither were the empty chairs
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical casts AI as this century’s Rerum novarum moment. He presented it personally — with Anthropic’s co-founder in the room. OpenAI, Google DeepMind & xAI were not. For a “broadside against AI companies,” that guest list is itself an argument.
A Rerum novarum for the age of AI
The signing date wasn’t incidental. Leo XIV chose the 135th anniversary of Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical — and, by taking the Leonine name, cast himself as the pope who answers AI as Leo XIII answered industry.
The same move, 135 years apart
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Five chapters, one worry: concentration
The recurring anxiety is that AI’s power lands “in the hands of only a few” — and that a more moral AI isn’t enough “if that morality is determined by a few.”
A dynamic doctrine, faithful to the Gospel
Situating AI in the Church’s social teaching — the living tradition from Rerum novarum onward.
Foundations & principles
Human dignity that is “neither acquired nor earned”; the common good; the universal destination of goods — tech must not be held by a few.
Technology & dominance
The “technocratic paradigm.” AI can simulate a person but has no moral conscience or empathy. Calls to “disarm” AI from the logic of competition.
Safeguarding humanity: truth, work, freedom
The “new ways” of working aren’t always better; AI too often makes workers adapt to machines. Warns of an “architecture of visibility.”
The culture of power & the civilization of love
The hardest charge: “no algorithm can make war morally acceptable.” Argues even “just war” theory must now be overcome.
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Who was in the room — and who should have been
Leo XIV presented the encyclical personally (popes usually delegate). Among the AI experts: Anthropic’s Chris Olah. The other frontier labs? Empty chairs. Tap each seat.
The presentation · May 25, 2026
A defensible single invite — or a diluted broadside? Press play, then judge.
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A broadside delivered to one delegate
The Washington Post read the encyclical as one that “fires a broadside against AI companies.” A reckoning aimed at an industry is weakened when one member — the most safety-branded one — is present to receive it.
The encyclical’s hardest charge is about AI and war — and it implicates the labs that weren’t there.
Its most uncompromising passages condemn AI-enabled weapons and the lowering of the threshold for violence. But that lands hardest on the defense-entangled players and the leaders most explicit about military & geopolitical ambitions — not the lab that showed up.
Account vs. anoint
One sympathetic guest tilts it from “the Church holding the industry to account” toward “the Church beside its preferred firm.”
Concentration, again
A text whose deepest fear is power “determined by a few” launched by elevating one company as chosen interlocutor.
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Two things are true at once
The criticism is of the exclusivity, not the inclusion. Olah in the room was fitting; Anthropic alone was incomplete.
The most significant AI reckoning yet by a global moral institution
It grounds a critique of concentration, dehumanized work & algorithmic warfare in a tradition stretching back to 1891. Its core insight — technology carries its makers’ values — is exactly the right place to start.
A broadside should be delivered to the industry, not its most palatable face
The choice to present alongside Anthropic alone — defensible, probably well-intentioned — undercut the encyclical’s own insight about whose values get associated with the message.
A beginning, not an endpoint
The same month, Leo XIV approved an Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence — a standing body with room for many voices over time. If it brings the whole industry into uncomfortable dialogue, the narrow first launch reads as a first step, not a pattern.
Implications of Church’s Active Engagement with AI Ethics
This encyclical marks a significant moment in the intersection of religion, ethics, and technology, signaling that AI development is a moral issue with global implications. The Vatican’s direct involvement, especially through personal presentation and selective industry engagement, emphasizes the importance of accountability, transparency, and shared standards in AI. It also raises questions about the influence of industry players like Anthropic, which are positioned as safety-oriented voices, in shaping the moral discourse around AI. This development could influence policy, regulation, and corporate practices worldwide, highlighting the role of moral authority in technological progress.
Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Tech and Morality
The Vatican’s engagement with technological upheaval dates back to the 19th century, with Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum novarum responding to the Industrial Revolution. Today, Pope Leo XIV’s focus on AI echoes this tradition, framing the digital age as a new frontier requiring moral guidance. Recent years have seen increased concern over AI’s societal impacts, including concentration of power, ethical use, and potential for harm. The recent presentation at the Vatican, with a focus on safety and interpretability, reflects ongoing debates about who should lead responsible AI development and how moral principles can be embedded into technology.
“Technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it.”
— Pope Leo XIV
Unclear Impact of the Vatican’s Moral Influence
It remains uncertain how much influence the encyclical will have on actual AI regulation, industry practices, or global policy. The extent to which the Church’s moral authority will shape corporate behavior or government oversight is still developing, and industry reactions are not yet clear.
Next Steps for Ethical AI and Church Engagement
Expect further discussions within the Vatican and among global policymakers on AI ethics, potentially leading to new guidelines or standards. Industry leaders, especially those aligned with safety and interpretability, may increase collaboration with moral authorities. The Church may continue to advocate for transparency and accountability in AI development, possibly issuing additional statements or initiatives.
Key Questions
Why did Pope Leo XIV personally present the encyclical?
The Pope’s personal presentation underscores the importance of the issue and signals the Church’s direct engagement with AI ethics, aiming to influence both moral discourse and industry practices.
Why was Anthropic invited to the Vatican event?
Anthropic was chosen because of its focus on AI safety, interpretability, and ethical development, aligning with the encyclical’s emphasis on responsibility and human dignity.
What does the encyclical say about AI and war?
The document states that AI changes the nature of conflict and warns that no algorithm can morally justify war. It advocates for dialogue and diplomacy over force, emphasizing moral limits on technological use in warfare.
Will the encyclical influence AI regulation worldwide?
It is uncertain; while the encyclical sets a moral framework, its actual impact on policy and industry practices depends on future engagement by governments and corporations.
Source: ThorstenMeyerAI.com
