Pope Leo XIV, elected in 2025, cited Pope Leo XIII and his encyclical Rerum novarum (1891) as influences on his choice of a papal name. In his first address to the College of Cardinals after becoming pope, Leo XIV drew parallels between Rerum novarum’s teachings on labor and the 21st-century challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI).
On May 15, 2026, the anniversary of the publication of Rerum novarum, Leo XIV signed his first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas (Latin: “Magnificent Humanity”), which offers moral guidance on the role of AI in society. He publicly issued the document 10 days later. Leo XIV’s encyclical cites Rerum novarum several times, calling it “a milestone in the development of the Church’s social teaching.”