Pope Leo creates AI commission

Pope Leo XIV has formally created a Vatican commission on artificial intelligence, giving the Holy See a standing structure to coordinate how different Church offices handle the technology. A rescript dated May 12 and released May 16 said Leo approved the new Inter-Dicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence after a May 3 audience with Cardinal Michael Czerny. (press.vatican.va) The document said the move reflected the spread of AI, its potential effects “on human beings and on humanity as a whole,” and the Church’s concern for human dignity. The commission will be coordinated for its first year by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. ### Which Vatican bodies are now inside the commission? (vaticannews.va) The May 16 rescript lists seven participating institutions: 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. Each institution’s head is to appoint a representative. Article 28 §5 of the apostolic constitution *Praedicate Evangelium* gives a dicastery prefect authority to create a special inter-dicasterial commission when an issue touches several curial offices and requires frequent consultation, Vatican News said. (press.vatican.va) Cardinal Czerny signed the rescript establishing the body in his capacity as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. ### What is the commission supposed to do in practice? The rescript says the coordinating institution must facilitate collaboration and information-sharing on AI-related activities and projects, including policies governing AI’s use inside the Holy See. The text also says the commission is meant to promote “dialogue, communion and participation” among the participating bodies. (press.vatican.va) The same document sets a rotating leadership structure. The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will run the commission for one year, renewable if necessary, and after that the pope will designate one of the participating institutions to coordinate the work for another one-year term. Any change in the commission’s composition must be submitted to Leo for approval. (press.vatican.va) ### Why is Leo tying AI to “faces and voices”? Leo’s January 24 message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, observed on May 17, set out the language now appearing across Vatican discussion of AI. In that message, he said “faces and voices are sacred” and warned that digital technologies, especially systems able to simulate voices, faces and emotions, could alter basic features of human communication. (press.vatican.va) The Vatican text said the challenge was “not primarily technological but anthropological,” framing AI as a question about human identity and authentic relationships. Leo also warned that social-media algorithms can reward outrage and weaken critical thinking, according to Vatican News’ summary of the message. (press.vatican.va) ### Is this a new issue for the Vatican, or a continuation? A January 28, 2025 note titled *Antiqua et Nova*, issued jointly by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education, had already laid out a Church argument that AI must be assessed in relation to human intelligence, ethics and dignity. Vatican News described the new commission as part of that broader line of work rather than a standalone intervention. (vaticannews.va) Leo has returned to the subject repeatedly since 2025. Vatican News has cited his warnings that technology must serve the human person, not replace it, and that AI can affect communication, responsibility and the development of children and young people. (vaticannews.va) ### What happens next inside the Vatican? The rescript says the next immediate step is for the heads of the seven participating institutions to appoint their representatives to the commission. The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will then coordinate the body’s first year and manage exchanges on AI projects and Holy See policy. (vatican.va) May 17, 2026 marked this year’s World Day of Social Communications, the Vatican page for Leo’s January message says, giving the Holy See a near-term forum for expanding the pope’s language on AI, communication and human dignity. The Vatican press office’s May 16 bulletin is the primary text for the commission’s mandate and membership. (vatican.va) (press.vatican.va) (vaticannews.va)