Pope Leo XIV's First Encyclical – Dealing With AI While Safeguarding Humanity

 

Pope Leo XIV has just released his first encyclical, and it focuses on something that is very much a part of everyday life in 2026 – Artificial Intelligence. The pope clearly shows that he cares about the perseveration of humanity despite what he believes is the secular drive to lessen its importance in favor of technology. 

The title of the publication is Magnifica humanitus: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence. The pope's not fearful of AI; he understands that it has a limited place in society; however, what he wants is to keep humanity's unique place in the universe as superior to AI in every way. In essence, he seeks to save our souls before we are subsumed by a technology that we created. If that sounds like a science fiction plot, you are indeed correct.

Is AI Evil?

So, is AI the work of the devil? The pope writes that AI is not "a force antagonistic to humanity" and asserts that is is not "inherently evil." But he does worry about those who use AI. The pope writes "technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it."

This makes me think of any tool that we use and our intentions when using it. For example, a car can be used responsibly by the driver or it can be used irresponsibly, as in the case of someone who drives drunk. Then the car can become a deadly weapon. 

AI can be used for good purposes like helping us do work for school or our jobs, but it cannot replace the creative sides of our work and do it for us because then we become dependent upon AI like a drug. If we have no purpose because AI has taken away almost everything – including taking away most jobs – what will become of humanity?

Warning of Dependence on AI 

This is the main concern that the pope expresses here. He cautions us about dependence on AI or promoting it as something superior to what humans can accomplish. He writes that we should realize that we "will come to recognize the human heart as the place where God desires to dwell." In his view God created us and gave us the ability to create many things – including AI – but AI doesn't replace us in God's eyes because it doesn't have a soul. 

The Human Soul

He worries that AI is being relied upon way too much and that it is overvalued.The pope reminds us about "the fundamental dignity of each person" that is something that we are born with and gifted to us by God. AI cannot have this because we created AI, and maybe we can even make it sentient, but we cannot give it a soul. Only God can do that.

Pope Leo XIV warns us to approach the use of AI with caution because an already established "technocratic paradigm" that measures everything by "efficiency and profits." He reminds us that the most powerful technology doesn't make it the best, and AI may be able to simulate humans but it cannot be human with "spiritual capabilities" – in other words – it cannot possess an immortal soul. 

Disarming AI

The pope actually calls for AI to be disarmed – and he clarifies this. "To disarm does not mean rejecting technology, but preventing it from dominating humanity." The pope holds onto the belief that humans are loved by God the creator, and we are the ones who must remain in charge of our own lives and not allow our days to be run by technology that can possibly infringe on our liberty. 

The pope concludes by writing that even in this age of AI "we may bear witness to the grandeur of humanity, in which God has made his dwelling." In some cases there is a notion of deus ex machina in the use of AI; although it may seem like it will save the human race in so many ways, it is merely a plot device just like how the Greeks used it to end plays with no definitive ending. 

What Will Save Us? 

Pope Leo XIV believes that this is what will save us from AI getting too big for its britches. He believes we will be saved since God is within us because our souls are where he also dwells, and that's how we will know that only humanity will have that relationship, one that AI will never know. 

 

Please check the first short video where the pope talks about "disarming" AI. The second video is the complete presentation which is interesting to watch when you can find the time.