Pope Leo XIV has released his first encyclical, a 235-page document titled Magnifica Humanitas, which directly addresses the rise of artificial intelligence and calls on the world to 'disarm' the technology.
The encyclical warns against using AI for military purposes or commercial dominance, and pushes strongly for government regulation of AI systems. It represents the Vatican's most comprehensive statement on artificial intelligence to date.
In a notable crossover between Silicon Valley and the Vatican, Anthropic's Chris Olah spoke alongside cardinals at the document's official release ceremony. Olah's presence signals the growing engagement between AI safety researchers and religious institutions on questions of AI governance.
Magnifica Humanitas frames AI not as inherently dangerous but as a technology that requires careful stewardship. The Pope calls for international cooperation to ensure AI serves human dignity rather than concentrating power. The document joins a growing chorus of voices from governments, civil society, and now religious leadership demanding guardrails on AI development.