Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical was Magnifica humanitas (Latin: “Magnificent Humanity”). It offers moral guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), which was a notable issue of concern from the beginning of Leo’s papacy. A few days after being elected pope in May 2025, he cautioned against AI’s negative impact on humanity, especially workers.
Leo signed Magnifica humanitas on May 15, 2026, the anniversary of the publication of Rerum novarum, a landmark encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891. Like Magnifica humanitas, Rerum novarum addresses the impact of technology. Specifically, it discusses the Industrial Revolution’s effect on human labor and society.
Magnifica humanitas was published on May 25, 2026. Among those present at the Vatican when the pope unveiled the document was Chris Olah, cofounder of the AI company Anthropic, which pledged to work with the Vatican on providing a moral foundation for the future of AI. Shortly before issuing the encyclical, Leo also created a Vatican commission on AI.