Pope Leo XIV Releases Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas: Calls for AI Disarmament
World Catholic leader Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong call for the disarmament of artificial intelligence (AI) to protect humanity from increasingly uncontrolled technological threats. This statement was made during a historic address marking the release of his new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity).
In his most significant moral document since assuming office a year ago, the first American pope in history emphasised that technology must be freed from monopolistic control, urging AI not to be used solely for geopolitical or commercial gain. ‘Disarmament means preventing technology from dominating humanity,’ the pope, a mathematician, stated on Monday, 25 May 2026.
The Vatican’s video presentation showcased historical disruptions such as the Industrial Revolution, World War II, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The pope drew a direct line between the impact of machinery during Pope Leo XIII’s era (author of Rerum Novarum) and AI’s current effects on workers.
The 70-year-old pontiff’s bold move is expected to heighten tensions with US President Donald Trump, whose administration favours AI deregulation to maintain US competitiveness against China. US Vice President JD Vance responded cautiously, stating, ‘When the leader of the world’s largest Christian denomination speaks, it inevitably carries weight. I believe there are many insights within, though some may align with my views and others not.’
A key focus of the encyclical is AI’s military applications. The pope warned that no algorithm can render war morally acceptable, fearing AI could accelerate conflicts, make them impersonal, and erode human moral considerations. These concerns are reinforced by Mythos, an AI tool from Anthropic PBC capable of mass-identifying IT system vulnerabilities. Notably, the Vatican invited Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah to the presentation, who supported the pope’s call for an unyielding moral voice beyond market incentives.
Pope Leo XIV concluded by warning that the greatest danger arises when technology dictates what is valuable and disposable, reducing humans to mere cogs in an efficiency system. Marking one year in office, the pope also highlighted family crises and global peace threats from arms trade. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet the pope at the Vatican amid tensions following Trump’s harsh criticism over Iran’s nuclear programme, with the White House accusing the pontiff of supporting Iran’s nuclear ambitions while the Vatican remains steadfast in its peace advocacy. Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally recently met Pope Leo, praising his firm stance against injustice and war in global tensions.