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TL;DR
Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical, stressing that AI technology is morally charged and not neutral, highlighting risks of concentration and misuse. Anthropic was notably present as a voice emphasizing safety and accountability.
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, titled ‘Magnifica humanitas,’ was officially released on May 15, 2024, emphasizing that artificial intelligence and technology are not morally neutral but reflect the characteristics of their creators and users. The Pope’s direct presentation at the Vatican included industry representatives, notably Anthropic’s co-founder, highlighting the Church’s engagement with AI ethics and the importance of moral responsibility in technological development.
The encyclical states that technology, including AI, is ‘never neutral’ because it adopts the traits of those who develop, finance, and regulate it, according to the document. Pope Leo XIV frames AI as a modern equivalent of the Industrial Revolution’s upheavals, warning of risks such as concentration of power and social inequality. The Pope underscores that AI should serve the common good and calls for shared ethical standards, criticizing the potential for technology to widen existing societal gaps.
The document also addresses AI’s impact on work and conflict. It warns that AI’s integration into labor can pressure workers to adapt to machines’ demands rather than supporting human dignity. It further states that AI’s role in warfare makes conflict more impersonal and less morally accountable, advocating for dialogue over force and suggesting that traditional just war principles need reevaluation in the context of AI-driven conflict.
In a notable move, the Pope chose to present the encyclical personally at the Vatican, bringing together a select group of scholars, religious leaders, and AI experts, including Anthropic’s co-founder Chris Olah. This choice reflects the encyclical’s emphasis on accountability and safety, aligning with Anthropic’s focus on interpretability and responsible AI development.
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.
Why the Vatican’s AI Encyclical Is a Landmark
This encyclical signals a major moral stance from the Catholic Church on artificial intelligence, framing it as a moral issue rather than merely a technical one. By explicitly criticizing the concentration of AI power and emphasizing human dignity, it could influence global discussions on AI regulation and ethics. The presence of industry voices like Anthropic highlights a shift towards engaging responsible AI development within moral and religious frameworks, potentially shaping future policies and industry standards. The Pope’s direct involvement underscores the importance of moral oversight in AI’s rapid advancement, making this a significant moment for both religious and technological communities.Historical and Current Perspectives on AI and Ethics
The Church’s engagement with technological upheavals dates back to Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum novarum, which addressed the social impact of the Industrial Revolution. The current encyclical draws a parallel between that era and today’s AI revolution, emphasizing the need for moral guidance. In recent years, the Vatican has increasingly spoken on issues of climate change, social justice, and now AI, positioning itself as a moral authority in these debates. The choice of a personal presentation and the inclusion of AI experts like Olah reflect a desire to influence industry practices and policy from within.
Prior to this, discussions about AI ethics have been largely academic and industry-driven, with some companies emphasizing safety and interpretability. The encyclical’s emphasis on shared moral standards and accountability aligns with these trends but elevates them into a moral and spiritual context, urging global moral responsibility.
“Technology, the Pope writes, is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it.”
— Pope Leo XIV
Unanswered Questions About Church and Industry Collaboration
It remains unclear how the Church’s moral stance will influence actual AI regulation or corporate practices worldwide. The impact of the encyclical on industry standards and government policies is still developing. Additionally, the extent to which other tech companies will engage with the Church’s moral framework remains uncertain, as does the response from broader religious communities.
Future Steps for Moral Oversight in AI Development
The Vatican is expected to continue engaging with AI experts, policymakers, and religious leaders to shape global standards. Industry responses may include increased emphasis on safety, interpretability, and ethical oversight. The encyclical’s influence could prompt new regulations or initiatives aimed at ensuring AI serves the common good, with ongoing dialogue between moral authorities and the tech industry.
Key Questions
Why did Pope Leo XIV focus on AI in his first encyclical?
The Pope sees AI as a defining moral challenge of our time, comparable to the Industrial Revolution, requiring spiritual and ethical guidance to prevent misuse and concentration of power.
Why was Anthropic chosen to be present at the Vatican event?
Anthropic is known for its focus on AI safety and interpretability, aligning with the encyclical’s emphasis on accountability and moral responsibility in technology development.
Will this encyclical influence global AI regulations?
It is uncertain. While the encyclical raises moral concerns, translating these into policy depends on governments, industry, and international bodies’ responses.
What does the encyclical say about AI and war?
The document warns that AI makes conflict more impersonal and less morally accountable, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy over force, and calling for a reevaluation of traditional just war principles.
Source: ThorstenMeyerAI.com
