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TL;DR
Pope Leo XIV has issued his first encyclical, warning that AI is not neutral and emphasizing the importance of ethical oversight. The Vatican’s choice to include Anthropic highlights concerns about safety and responsibility in AI development.
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, explicitly states that artificial intelligence is never neutral but takes on the characteristics of those who develop and use it. The document, presented personally at the Vatican, underscores the Church’s stance on the moral and social implications of AI, emphasizing the concentration of power and the need for shared ethical standards.
The encyclical, signed on May 15, 2024, coincides with the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum novarum, framing AI as a contemporary equivalent of the technological upheavals of the Industrial Revolution. It warns that AI’s influence on work and conflict can exacerbate inequality and moral decline if left unchecked. The Pope calls for technology to serve the common good and advocates for shared ethical frameworks, criticizing the tendency of AI to concentrate power in the hands of a few.
Notably, the Vatican chose to include AI safety researcher and Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah in the event, signaling an emphasis on transparency, interpretability, and responsibility. The presence of Olah and the focus on ethical AI reflect the Church’s desire to align technological development with human dignity and social justice. The encyclical explicitly condemns the potential for AI to facilitate impersonal conflict and urges a shift from just war to dialogue and diplomacy.
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 Vatican’s Moral Stance on AI Development
This encyclical marks a significant intersection of religious authority and technological ethics, emphasizing that AI’s development must be guided by moral principles rooted in human dignity. The inclusion of Anthropic signals a preference for safety and interpretability in AI, potentially influencing industry standards and regulatory approaches. The Vatican’s stance could shape global discussions on AI governance, pushing for more accountability and shared standards to prevent power concentration and moral decline.
The signing of Magnifica humanitas on May 15, 2024, aligns with the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum novarum, a foundational document addressing technological upheaval during the Industrial Revolution. This parallel underscores the Church’s view of AI as a transformative force comparable to past societal shifts. The encyclical builds on previous Church teachings about social justice, human dignity, and ethical responsibility, now applied to the digital age.
The Vatican’s decision to present the document personally and include AI experts like Chris Olah reflects a strategic engagement with industry leaders. The focus on safety and interpretability resonates with ongoing debates about AI transparency, bias, and accountability, which remain unresolved in the tech industry.
“Technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it.”
— Pope Leo XIV
Unresolved Questions About Church and Industry Engagement
It remains unclear how the Vatican’s stance will influence actual industry practices or policy changes. The specific impact of including Anthropic as a representative, versus broader industry engagement, is still developing. Additionally, the extent to which the encyclical will be integrated into global AI governance remains uncertain.
Next Steps in Church’s Moral Guidance on AI
The Vatican is expected to continue engaging with AI developers and policymakers to promote ethical standards aligned with the encyclical. Future statements or initiatives may focus on fostering international cooperation, accountability, and transparency in AI. Monitoring industry responses and policy developments over the coming months will clarify how the Church’s moral framework influences the digital landscape.
Key Questions
Why did the Vatican choose to include Anthropic in the encyclical presentation?
The Vatican included Anthropic because of its focus on AI safety, interpretability, and human dignity, aligning with the encyclical’s emphasis on moral responsibility and transparency in technology development.
Does the encyclical suggest specific regulations for AI?
The document calls for shared ethical standards and accountability but does not specify particular regulations. It emphasizes moral frameworks and oversight as guiding principles.
How might this encyclical influence the tech industry?
It could encourage companies to prioritize safety, transparency, and ethical considerations in AI development, and potentially influence policymakers to adopt standards aligned with the Church’s moral perspective.
What is the significance of the Pope personally presenting the encyclical?
It underscores the importance the Church places on moral issues surrounding AI and signals a direct engagement with industry and society on these ethical challenges.
Source: ThorstenMeyerAI.com
