Pope Leo XIV to present AI encyclical

Pope Leo XIV said on May 18 that his first encyclical will address artificial intelligence, making technology ethics one of the earliest defined themes of his papacy. The document, titled *Magnifica Humanitas*, is due to be published and presented at the Vatican on May 25, according to the Holy See Press Office. Christopher Olah, a co-founder of Anthropic, is listed among the speakers for the presentation alongside senior Vatican cardinals and theologians. The announcement placed a private-sector AI figure next to the pope at the launch of a major teaching document, an unusual public arrangement for the Vatican. ### When will the encyclical be released, and what is it called? The Vatican said *Magnifica Humanitas* will be released on May 25, 2026, and will focus on “safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.” The Holy See Press Office said the text bears Leo’s signature dated May 15, the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s *Rerum Novarum*. Vatican News said the presentation is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in the Synod Hall. (press.vatican.va) National Catholic Reporter said Leo will personally take part in presenting the encyclical, rather than leaving the rollout solely to Vatican officials or outside commentators. The same report said the pope’s participation comes with Curial cardinals and academic speakers also on the program. (press.vatican.va) ### Why is an Anthropic co-founder on the program? Christopher Olah, identified by the Vatican and National Catholic Reporter as an Anthropic co-founder, is among the named participants for the May 25 event. The Vatican’s speaker list also includes Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Anna Rowlands of Durham University and Léocadie Lushombo of Santa Clara University, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin scheduled to give concluding remarks before the pope speaks and gives a final blessing. (ncronline.org) National Catholic Reporter said Anthropic has recently been drawn into a dispute with the Trump administration over safeguards on military and surveillance uses of AI. That report said Anthropic refused to loosen protections against use of its models for lethal autonomous warfare without human oversight or for mass surveillance. (press.vatican.va) ### Has Leo been talking about AI before this? Pope Leo XIV had already begun building an AI agenda before announcing the encyclical. Vatican News reported on May 16 that he approved the creation of an interdicasterial commission on artificial intelligence. The same Vatican outlet reported in January that Leo said technological innovation, especially AI, must serve the human person rather than replace or diminish human dignity. (ncronline.org) The Vatican framed the encyclical in similar terms on May 18, saying it concerns the protection of the human person in the age of AI. That language links the new document to a broader Vatican effort to treat artificial intelligence as a moral and social question, not only a technical one. ### What else has Leo emphasized this week? (vaticannews.va) Pope Leo XIV told about 1,000 young pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Genoa on May 16 that too many young Catholics vanish from parish life after confirmation. OSV News reported that he warned many “disappear from the parish” and urged the confirmation candidates to ask the Holy Spirit for perseverance. (press.vatican.va) The National Catholic Register, in a separate report on the same audience, said Leo described confirmation as one of a bishop’s greatest joys but added that it is painful when young people are “never seen again.” He urged them to return to parish life and live the faith in community. (osvnews.com) ### What comes next at the Vatican? May 25 is the next fixed date in this story. The Holy See Press Office said Leo will appear in the Synod Hall for the presentation of *Magnifica Humanitas* with Olah, Parolin, Fernández, Czerny, Rowlands and Lushombo on the program. (press.vatican.va) (ncregister.com)