Pope Leo XIV signed his inaugural encyclical on May 15, marking the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum novarum. Titled Magnifica humanitas, the document was released on May 25 and tackles one of the era’s most pressing issues: artificial intelligence and its effects on humanity.
The central message is not an opposition to technology. The Pope stresses that technology is neither a threat nor inherently evil, but it is never neutral because it reflects the values of its creators, funders, and controllers. This is where the discussion becomes crucial.
Is AI turning into a tool for the elite?
A large portion of the encyclical addresses the concentration of AI power in the hands of a few. Pope Leo XIV cautions that this could widen the divide between those who benefit from the digital revolution and those left behind. He calls for ethical standards shaped by shared principles of social justice rather than a small group of decision‑makers.
He also condemns the use of AI in warfare, stating that no algorithm can render war morally acceptable. He argues that AI makes conflict faster, more impersonal, and lowers the threshold for resorting to violence, which does not constitute genuine progress.
The timing of the encyclical is striking. In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded contracts to Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI to embed cutting‑edge AI into military operations, from battlefield decision‑making to classified intelligence systems. Anthropic withdrew from its agreement in early 2026 over concerns about autonomous weapons and mass surveillance, leading to a ban by the Trump administration. OpenAI quickly stepped in, signing its own Pentagon deal, which sparked a massive backlash from users and resulted in widespread app uninstallations.
By April 2026, the Pentagon had secured new classified AI contracts with OpenAI, Google, and others. It is evident that the Pope is displeased with these developments and is indirectly urging the U.S. government to cease employing AI in warfare.
What path does the Pope propose?
The heart of the encyclical is the call for technology to serve humanity, not the reverse. He advocates for stronger labor protections, transparency in communication, renewed focus on education, and legal frameworks that hold AI developers accountable. He highlights migrants, workers in hazardous conditions, and abuse victims as groups that require our empathy and protection. Ultimately, Magnifica humanitas reminds us that, regardless of technological advancement, true progress remains a human measure.