An encyclical that must be read

This month, May 2026, Pope Leo XIV published his first major teaching document, the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence. The encyclical addresses one of the most urgent issues of the modern world, which is the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on human dignity, labor, morality, politics and spirituality. This is must reading for all citizens of the world, especially decision-makers, educators and those in the world of communications and media.

In the Introduction, the first three sentences already contain a powerful message. Here are the opening sentences:

“Humanity created by God in all its grandeur is today facing a pivotal choice; either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together. Each generation inherits the task of shaping its own era, or of guiding history to become a place where the dignity of every person is safeguarded, justice is promoted and fraternity is made possible. Yet every era also runs the risk of creating an inhumane and more unjust world.”

The encyclical was inspired by the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, especially the first encyclical which was Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum (“Of New Things”) published in the 19th century.

The title itself reveals the central message of Pope Leo XIV. Humanity is “magnificent” because every person is created in the image of God and possesses an inviolable dignity that no technology can replace. The encyclical strongly warns against allowing artificial intelligence to dominate society without moral guidance. The pope insists that technology must serve humanity and the common good.

One of the major themes in the encyclical is that technology is never neutral. The pope explains that artificial intelligence reflects the values of those who create and control it. Algorithms can reinforce injustice, discrimination and inequality if they are not governed ethically. Therefore, the moral responsibility belongs not only to governments but also to scientists, engineers, corporations and ordinary citizens who use this technology.

In his Introduction, Leo XIV also said that we cannot limit ourselves to repeating insightful teachings of Pope Leo XIII. He said: “Instead, we must ask God for the wisdom to interpret the great trends of our time, particularly, technological advances… Technology should not be considered in itself as a force antagonistic to humanity.”

While technological development has improved the living conditions of humanity, these tools can cause harm when not oriented toward the good.

The pope writes: “Technology is never neutral because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise finance, regulate and use it.” This statement highlights the encyclical’s challenge to the modern belief that technological progress automatically leads to human progress. The pope argues that innovation without ethics can deepen social division and create new forms of exploitation.

Another important highlight of Magnifica Humanitas is its discussion of work and the economy. Inspired by Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIV compares the AI revolution to the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. Just as workers were once exploited by industrial capitalism, today many people risk being displaced or marginalized by automation and artificial intelligence.

The encyclical warns against reducing human beings to productivity, data or economic value. Human work is not merely a source of income, but also a source of dignity, creativity and participation in society.

Pope Leo XIV criticizes systems that prioritize efficiency and profit over the wellbeing of workers. In the encyclical, he writes: “No one must be reduced to productivity, cognitive performance or mere data.”

The pope calls for governments, corporations and institutions to protect workers affected by technological change through education, retraining and social support. He argues that economic progress must include solidarity with the poor and the vulnerable.

One major concern cited in the encyclical is the concentration of power in large technology companies. Pope Leo XIV fears that digital monopolies could control information, manipulate public opinion and weaken democracy. He believes that AI should never become a tool of domination or exclusion.

The encyclical appeals for stronger public accountability and ethical oversight. According to the pope, technological development should involve cooperation among nations, institutions and communities rather than being controlled by a privileged elite.

One of the most critical passages in the encyclical concerns warfare and autonomous weapons. Pope Leo XIV condemns the use of AI for destruction and warns against machines making life and death decisions without a human conscience. He writes: “Artificial intelligence needs to be disarmed.”

The pope compares the challenge of AI regulation to the challenge for nuclear disarmament. He says that humanity must prevent technology from becoming an instrument of violence and oppression.

Pope Leo XIV rejects the idea that machines can truly replace human intelligence, love, conscience or spiritual experience. AI may imitate reasoning and language but it cannot possess genuine, moral understanding or relationships.

The ultimate question that the encyclical tries to answer is will humanity use technology to serve human life, peace and solidarity or will it allow technology to create new forms of inequality, control, warfare and dehumanization?

There are so many other magnificent and necessary messages in the encyclical that I cannot write about in just one column.