Pope Leo XIV creates AI commission

Pope Leo XIV has created a new Vatican commission on artificial intelligence, giving the Holy See a formal structure to coordinate work on the technology across multiple departments. A Vatican News report said Leo approved the body in a rescript dated May 12 and released May 16, after an audience with Cardinal Michael Czerny on May 3. The commission brings together seven dicasteries and pontifical academies and is tasked with coordinating activities and projects tied to artificial intelligence, including policies for its use inside the Holy See. The move comes as Leo prepares his first encyclical, which Politico reported is expected in coming weeks and is expected to address AI within Catholic social teaching. ### When did Leo create the body, and what is it called? A May 12 rescript approved by Pope Leo XIV established the Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence, according to Vatican News. The text was released publicly on May 16 and signed by Cardinal Michael Czerny, the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. (vaticannews.va) Article 28 of the apostolic constitution *Praedicate Evangelium* allows the head of a dicastery to create a special interdicasterial commission on matters that cut across several Vatican offices and require frequent consultation, Vatican News said. Czerny set up the body under that provision. ### Which Vatican offices are on the commission? (vaticannews.va) Seven Vatican bodies will be represented on the commission, Vatican News reported. They are the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Dicastery for Communication, the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. (vaticannews.va) The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will coordinate the commission’s work for the first year, according to the Vatican News account. After that, one of the participating institutions will coordinate for renewable one-year terms, with the pope deciding which body leads next. ### What, exactly, is the commission supposed to do? (vaticannews.va) The coordinating institution is responsible for facilitating collaboration and information-sharing among members on AI-related activities and projects, Vatican News said. That mandate includes policies on the use of artificial intelligence within the Holy See and promoting dialogue, communion and participation among the participating offices. (vaticannews.va) The Vatican said Leo approved the commission in light of the spread of artificial intelligence, its potential effects on human beings and humanity as a whole, and the Church’s concern for the dignity of every human person, especially in relation to integral human development. Those reasons were cited in the rescript summarized by Vatican News and echoed in Politico’s account. (vaticannews.va) ### How does this fit with Leo’s earlier comments on AI? January 2026 brought one of Leo’s clearest statements on the subject in his message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications. Vatican News said that message argued technology must serve the human person rather than replace or diminish human dignity. In that message, Leo warned that systems capable of simulating faces, voices and emotions could distort human communication and blur the line between reality and simulation, according to Vatican News. (vaticannews.va) He also said algorithms that reward rapid emotional reactions can weaken critical thinking and increase social polarization. (vaticannews.va) Politico reported that Leo also raised AI in remarks to cardinals shortly after his election in May 2025, saying the Church should offer its social teaching in response to challenges the technology poses to “human dignity, justice and labor.” The outlet also reported that in June 2025 he warned against AI’s misuse for selfish gain, conflict and harm to children and young people. (vaticannews.va) ### Why is the Vatican acting now? The Vatican moved this month as Leo’s first encyclical nears publication. Politico reported that Leo signed the encyclical on May 16 and that the document is expected to be made public in coming weeks, with artificial intelligence likely to feature prominently in the text. The Vatican also has a recent internal reference point. (politico.eu) Vatican News said the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education issued the note *Antiqua et Nova* in January 2025 on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. In coming weeks, the next concrete step is the publication of Leo’s first encyclical, which Politico said is expected to address artificial intelligence alongside labor, justice and peace. (politico.eu) Until then, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, led by Cardinal Czerny, will coordinate the commission’s first year of work. (vaticannews.va)