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TL;DR
Pope Leo XIV issued an encyclical warning that AI technology is never neutral and reflects its creators’ characteristics. The Vatican’s choice to include Anthropic underscores concerns about safety and accountability in AI development.
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, titled ‘Magnifica humanitas,’ was officially released on May 15, 2024, emphasizing that artificial intelligence (AI) is never neutral but instead takes on the characteristics of those who develop and control it. The document underscores the importance of ethical responsibility in AI development and signals the Vatican’s active engagement with the technology’s moral implications.
The encyclical, subtitled ‘On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,’ draws parallels between the technological upheaval of the Industrial Revolution and today’s AI revolution. It warns that concentrated power in AI risks widening social inequalities and stresses that technology must serve the common good, not just a few.
In a notable departure from typical papal presentations, Pope Leo XIV personally delivered the encyclical at the Vatican, with a select group of speakers and AI experts in attendance. Among them was Chris Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, a research lab known for its focus on AI safety and interpretability. The choice of Anthropic, and the absence of representatives from other major AI firms like OpenAI or Google DeepMind, suggests a deliberate emphasis on safety and accountability.
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 the Vatican’s Engagement with AI Ethics
This encyclical signals a significant moral stance from the Vatican, framing AI as a moral issue rooted in human dignity and social justice. The inclusion of Anthropic highlights the importance of safety and transparency in AI development, potentially influencing industry standards and regulatory discussions. It also underscores the church’s view that technological power must be governed ethically to prevent misuse and concentration of influence.
Historical and Contemporary AI Ethical Discourse
The Vatican’s engagement echoes past church statements on social and technological upheavals, notably Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum novarum, which addressed the impacts of the Industrial Revolution. Today’s focus on AI reflects ongoing concerns about automation, data concentration, and the moral implications of conflict and work in a digital age. The Pope’s direct involvement indicates a growing recognition of AI as a moral and social challenge.
“Technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it.”
— Pope Leo XIV
Unanswered Questions on Vatican’s Future AI Policy
It remains unclear whether the encyclical will lead to concrete policy changes or influence AI regulation globally. The impact of the Vatican’s moral stance on the industry’s practices and governance frameworks is still developing, and no specific regulatory proposals have been announced.
Next Steps in Church and Industry AI Engagement
The Vatican is expected to continue engaging with AI developers, policymakers, and ethicists to promote responsible AI. Future initiatives may include conferences, guidelines, or collaborations aimed at embedding moral principles into AI design and deployment. Industry responses and regulatory developments will also shape the ongoing dialogue.
Key Questions
Why did the Vatican choose Anthropic to speak at the encyclical event?
Anthropic is known for its focus on AI safety and interpretability, aligning with the encyclical’s emphasis on transparency and accountability. The Vatican likely selected them to represent an industry voice committed to ethical AI development.
Does the encyclical propose specific regulations for AI?
No, the document does not specify regulations but emphasizes moral responsibility, ethical standards, and the need for shared values to guide AI development.
What impact could this encyclical have on AI companies?
It could influence industry practices by encouraging greater focus on safety, transparency, and ethical responsibility, and may shape future regulations or standards.
Will the church’s stance affect global AI policy?
While it signals moral authority, the direct influence on policy remains uncertain. It may, however, contribute to broader ethical discussions and policymaking efforts.
Is this the first time the Vatican has addressed AI?
This is the first comprehensive encyclical explicitly focused on AI and its ethical implications, marking a significant development in church engagement with emerging technology.
Source: ThorstenMeyerAI.com
