Pope Leo XIV Publishes First Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, on Human Dignity and AI

Pope Leo XIV has published his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which addresses human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. The 38,000-word document examines how AI could impact national economies, cause unemployment, or enhance weapons of war.

In the encyclical, the pope states that machines lack moral conscience, meaning they cannot judge good and evil, understand the ultimate meaning of situations, or take responsibility for consequences. He writes that while technological progress can alleviate suffering, people must not abandon the essential human capacities for love and relationship.

The first two chapters of the text survey the history and principles of Catholic social teaching. Political science expert Cornélio Abdul Mussá described the document as a call to collective responsibility to turn the principle of human dignity into concrete practices of justice and solidarity.

The Diocese of Limoges scheduled a session to help people understand the encyclical for October 23, 2026, followed by practical workshops on December 11, 2026. The CEI Offices have also introduced a training program based on the encyclical.