Pope Leo XIV Calls for Ethical Constraints on Artificial Intelligence

Pope Leo XIV has issued a significant challenge to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, calling for the technology to be subject to the “most rigorous” ethical constraints. In his new encyclical, Magnificent Humanity, the pontiff addressed the global influence of AI, characterizing the current “culture of power” driving the sector as a threat that necessitates urgent moral oversight.

A Call to Disarm AI

During a presentation at the Vatican on Monday, May 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the development and deployment of artificial intelligence must be carefully managed to protect human dignity. The document, which serves as a major teaching text for the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion members, highlights the potential for AI to facilitate the “normalisation of war.”

“the development and use of AI in warfare must be subject to the most rigorous ethical constraints, to guarantee respect for human dignity and the sanctity of life and to avoid a race to develop such arms,” the pope wrote in the encyclical. The document also addresses the broader digital economy, which the pontiff described as a source of “new forms of slavery.”

Vatican Engagement with Technology Leaders

The event at the Vatican featured the attendance of Christopher Olah, a co-founder of the US-based AI firm Anthropic. The presence of industry leaders at the Vatican reflects a growing trend of technology companies engaging with the Holy See regarding the future of AI. While social media speculation recently joked about the pope joining a technology firm, the Vatican’s focus remains firmly on the ethical implications of these tools.

Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago and elected in May 2025, has consistently identified AI as a primary concern for humanity. His encyclical serves as a formal framework for how the Church intends to approach the intersection of rapid technological growth and fundamental human rights.

Key Takeaways from the Papal Encyclical

• Ethical Constraints: The pope argues that AI must be strictly regulated to prevent its use in ways that undermine human dignity, particularly in warfare.
• Humanitarian Focus: The document emphasizes the need to protect the vulnerable, especially as digital tools reshape labor and economic structures.
• Reflection on History: In the text, Pope Leo XIV apologized for the Catholic Church’s historical delay in condemning slavery, framing this reflection as a necessary step in addressing modern ethical challenges.
• Global Stewardship: As the first US-born pope, Leo XIV’s focus on AI signals a shift toward addressing the geopolitical and moral consequences of Silicon Valley’s output on a global scale.

Looking Ahead

The release of Magnificent Humanity marks a pivotal moment in the Vatican’s engagement with modern technology. By framing AI as a challenge to the sanctity of life, Pope Leo XIV has set the stage for a long-term dialogue between religious institutions and technology developers. As AI continues to infiltrate sectors ranging from global politics to daily labor, the Vatican’s insistence on “discernment” and “rigorous ethical constraints” is likely to remain a central theme in future discussions regarding the governance of artificial intelligence.