Pope Leo XIV Publishes First Encyclical “Magnifica humanitas”

With Magnifica humanitas – On the Preservation of Humanity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical on May 25, 2026. The encyclical builds on the tradition of Catholic social teaching and is intended as the Church’s response to the profound social changes brought about by AI and digital technologies. In it, Pope Leo XIV makes clear that human intelligence and AI are fundamentally different and that AI therefore cannot replace human beings. AI is a human-created tool that can be useful but must always be operated by humans. Moreover, unlike AI, humans are beings capable of forming relationships and loving. The encyclical therefore emphasizes that the issue of AI is not purely technical, but rather social and ethical.

The date of the signing is symbolic: The Pope signed the encyclical on May 15, 2026—exactly 135 years after the publication of Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, the historic social encyclical on the Industrial Revolution. (See EZA article from May 15, 2026) In doing so, Leo XIV draws a direct parallel between the social challenges of the industrial age and the upheavals of the digital present.

At the heart of the encyclical is the question of how human dignity can be preserved in an increasingly algorithm-driven world. Pope Leo XIV warns against leaving technological developments solely to economic interests or the logic of power. Artificial intelligence must serve the common good and strengthen people in their freedom, responsibility, and dignity.

The Pope addresses key challenges of our time: changes in the world of work, digital surveillance, manipulation through algorithms, disinformation, and the danger of new social divisions caused by technological progress. The encyclical particularly emphasizes the responsibility of politics, business, and society to develop clear ethical guidelines for the use of AI. In the second chapter, “Fundamentals and Principles of the Church’s Social Teaching,” he states in paragraph 67 that “the new forms of ownership (…): patents, algorithms, digital platforms, technological infrastructure [and] data” must be universal goods for all. In doing so, he advocates for the socialization of the new form of power that arises from the ownership of these goods.

For the European Centre for Labour Issues (EZA), this encyclical is particularly timely. The transformation of the world of work through digitalization and artificial intelligence poses fundamental challenges for workers as well as trade unions and workers’ organizations across Europe. Issues regarding fair working conditions, skills development, data protection, worker participation, and social security will become even more critical in the future. The Pope very emphatically highlights the value of work as well as the danger that the value of dignified work will be lost due to AI and the pursuit of increased efficiency.

Referring to the Church’s traditional support for trade unions, Pope Leo XIV emphasizes their special responsibility to represent the interests of workers in new forms of employment. Magnifica humanitas underscores the importance of open and truthful dialogue in the digital age. Especially in times of profound change, Europe needs dialogue between workers, employers, policymakers, and civil society to ensure that innovation and social justice are considered together.

The encyclical does not, however, reject technological development. Technological progress is an expression of human creativity. Rather, Pope Leo XIV calls for a human-centered approach to the development of artificial intelligence. Technology should serve humanity and not replace or degrade it.

With Magnifica humanitas, Pope Leo XIV sends a clear signal: The social question of the 21st century will depend largely on how societies deal with artificial intelligence and whether they succeed in keeping people at the center even in the digital age. Pope Leo XIV situates the current challenges posed by technological, economic, and social upheavals within a long ecclesiastical tradition of Catholic social teaching. He reaffirms the role of democracy, the rule of law, as well as trade unions and other social actors, yet at the same time warns that economic progress and political power must always remain committed to the common good, solidarity, and the dignity of every human being. With his first encyclical, the Pope makes a valuable statement in the midst of the current debate on the future development of AI. Each and every one of us bears a shared responsibility for the direction this development will take.