Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, warns AI must not replace the human person
Published on 25 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical is subtitled 'On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence'. It argues that AI must serve the common good and human dignity and must not concentrate power. Its release date marks the 135th anniversary of Leo XIII's Rerum novarum.
Updated · originally
Magnifica humanitas is Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, released on 25 May 2026. It frames artificial intelligence as a profound test of what it means to be human: powerful systems can calculate and predict but cannot love or bear moral responsibility, and technological progress must be measured against human dignity, the common good and the dignity of work.
What the document says
- AI must safeguard the human person and serve the common good, not concentrate power.
- Machines lack the affective, relational and moral dimension proper to human wisdom.
- The dignity of work must be protected, including the hidden labour behind AI systems.
- Autonomous weapons that reduce human accountability are gravely problematic.
- The answer to a 'culture of power' is a civilisation built on solidarity and dialogue.
Why the date matters
The 25 May 2026 release marks 135 years since Leo XIII issued Rerum novarum — the link the pope has drawn since choosing his name.
Key facts
Key facts
- Type
- Encyclical (first of the pontificate)
- Title
- Magnifica humanitas
- Subtitle
- On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
- Date
- 25 May 2026
- Anniversary
- 135 years since Rerum novarum (1891)
Frequently asked questions
Is this his first major document?
It is his first encyclical. His first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te, on love for the poor, came earlier, in October 2025.
What does 'Magnifica humanitas' mean?
Roughly 'magnificent humanity' — pointing to the dignity of the human person the encyclical seeks to defend.
Sources
- Official sourceVatican News — Pope Leo's 'Magnifica humanitas': AI must serve humanity, not concentrate power · Reporting on the first encyclical · May 25, 2026
- News sourceTIME — Pope Leo Uses First Major Papal Text to Warn About Dangers of AI · Reporting on Magnifica humanitas · May 25, 2026
- Primary sourceVatican.va (Holy See) — Leo XIV — official texts, homilies, speeches and documents · Primary / official full texts
- News sourceOSV News — OSV News — Vatican coverage · Reporting and full-text transcripts
LeoPope links to primary and official texts wherever they exist. See our sources policy.