In his first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," released on May 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV has issued a powerful call for urgent global regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly concerning its use in warfare. The pontiff warned of the existential threats posed by AI, including the proliferation of misinformation, the potential for AI to escalate conflicts, and the grave ethical implications of autonomous weapons systems.
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV's encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas" addresses the profound impact of AI on humanity.
- He urges a slowdown in AI development and calls for robust legal frameworks and independent oversight.
- The Pope specifically condemns the delegation of lethal decision-making to AI and autonomous weapons.
- He advocates for broader ownership of AI data and protection for workers and children.
- The encyclical repudiates the 'just war' theory, deeming it outdated in the context of modern warfare.
The Peril of Autonomous Weapons
Pope Leo XIV expressed deep concern that certain autonomous weapons systems have advanced to a point where they are "practically beyond any human reach to govern them." He reiterated the long-held Catholic position, building on the teachings of his predecessor Pope Francis, that the decision to use lethal force must always remain under "effective, self-aware and responsible human control." Surrendering such critical decisions to algorithms, the Pope argued, degrades human dignity and insulates leaders from moral accountability.
A Call for Global Governance
The encyclical calls for "robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility." Pope Leo XIV stressed the need for "a more active political involvement that is capable of slowing things down when everything is accelerating." He also appealed for wider ownership of AI data, moving beyond private hands, and urged policymakers to protect the rights of workers and safeguard children from the potential harms of AI technology. The Pope also called for a cooling of the intense competition between AI companies.
Repudiation of 'Just War' Theory
In a significant departure, Pope Leo XIV also made one of the clearest statements yet from a pontiff repudiating the 'just war' theory. This doctrine, used for centuries to evaluate the morality of conflict, has become "outdated," the Pope stated, arguing that the use of force and violence reflects a "relational poverty" with disastrous consequences for civilian populations. He warned that leaders might even use armed conflict as a cynical tool to distract from domestic issues.
Ethical Constraints and Human Dignity
The Pope emphasized that any use of AI in warfare "must be subject to the most rigorous ethical constraints" and declared it "not permissible" to entrust AI systems with lethal decisions. He drew parallels to historical papal teachings on social justice, referencing Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical on workers' rights, and decried "new forms of slavery" endured by those working in AI system maintenance and the production of technological devices. The encyclical also included a personal apology for the Catholic Church's delayed condemnation of transatlantic slavery.
A Plea for Collective Action
Concluding his message, Pope Leo XIV invoked the biblical story of the Tower of Babel to caution against human enterprises that "aspire to reach heaven without God's blessing." He urged the world to abandon such prideful pursuits and instead "join forces in building up the common good." The Pope acknowledged the immense challenges posed by AI but stressed that no one is without responsibility, urging collective action to ensure that AI serves humanity rather than destroys it.