Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical titled Magnifica humanitas will be officially released on May 25, with the document focusing on protecting the dignity of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.
The Vatican announced that the encyclical carries Pope’s signature dated May 15, marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum, the landmark social encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891. The new document is expected to continue the Church’s long tradition of addressing major social and ethical challenges facing humanity.
According to the Vatican, Magnifica humanitas will reflect on the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and its impact on human life, society, work, ethics, and human dignity. The encyclical is seen as Pope Leo XIV’s first major teaching document since the beginning of his pontificate and is likely to shape Catholic thinking on emerging technologies in the years ahead.
The official presentation of the encyclical will take place at 11:30 a.m. on May 25 at the Synod Hall in the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV himself will attend the event along with Church leaders, theologians, and experts in artificial intelligence.
Among the speakers will be Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Cardinal Michael Czerny of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Both cardinals are expected to explain the theological and social dimensions of the document.
The event will also include contributions from leading academic and technology experts. Professor Anna Rowlands of Durham University in the United Kingdom will speak about the ethical and social questions surrounding technology and humanity.
Christopher Olah, co founder of the American artificial intelligence company Anthropic and a researcher known for his work on understanding how artificial intelligence systems function, will also participate in the discussion. His presence highlights the Vatican’s effort to engage directly with people working at the forefront of technological development.
Professor Leocadie Lushombo of the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University in California will speak on political theology and Catholic social teaching in relation to artificial intelligence and human dignity.
The presentation will conclude with remarks from Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, followed by an address and blessing from Pope Leo XIV.
The Vatican’s decision to dedicate the Pope’s first encyclical to artificial intelligence reflects growing concern within the Church and wider society about the ethical use of technology. In recent years, Church leaders have repeatedly called for stronger safeguards to ensure that technological progress serves humanity rather than undermining human dignity, freedom, and social justice.
Many observers see Magnifica humanitas as an important step in the Church’s continuing engagement with the modern digital world and its challenges.