Pope Leo XIV Takes Aim at AI Warfare in First Encyclical 'Magnifica Humanitas'

The Pope stressed that 'technology is never neutral' and is an expression of the interests behind it. He argues that merely regulating AI is insufficient; it must be 'disarmed, welcoming and accessible.'

The ‘Disarming’ of Artificial Intelligence

The encyclical specifically criticizes AI-directed weaponry, stating it is 'not permissible to entrust lethal or otherwise irreversible decisions to artificial systems.' It warns that AI has made war 'more feasible' in modern times and calls for the 'demilitarization of AI' in response to drone warfare and cyberattacks on civilian infrastructure.

Without naming U.S. President Donald Trump, Leo stressed that the 'just war' theory, often misused, is now outdated. 'No algorithm can make war morally acceptable,' he added.

Confronting a ‘New Colonialism’ by Tech Giants

The encyclical sharply criticizes the concentration of digital technology in the hands of a few global companies, warning of a 'new colonialism.' The Pope wrote that the digital transformation affects all areas of life and therefore must not be controlled by a few; the global community must reclaim decision-making power.

He called for AI companies to be subjected to stricter state and international regulations, and for tax systems that ease the burden on the most vulnerable while demanding more from those with greater resources.

The document also highlights human and environmental exploitation behind AI, including models training on copyrighted material and the extraction of rare minerals used in AI hardware.

Human Dignity and the Danger of Machine Dependence

Pope Leo XIV argued that human dignity does not depend on a person’s abilities, wealth, or choices, but simply by virtue of existing. He warned that handing over decision-making to machines may encourage excessive reliance and weaken personal creativity and judgment.

He cautioned that AI frequently forces workers to adapt to the speed and demands of machines rather than machines being designed to support workers. The Pope also addressed transhumanism and posthumanism, defining them as assumptions that interpret progress as surpassing the human condition.

'We must remember that humanity flourishes not despite limitations, but often through them,' he wrote.

An Apology and a Lesson from History

In a striking passage, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Catholic Church’s history regarding slavery, noting it was not fully denounced until the 19th century by Pope Leo XIII. 'For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for pardon,' he wrote.

The encyclical drew a parallel to the slow moral awakening on slavery, suggesting a similar awakening is needed on AI. The Pope argued that a more moral AI is not enough if that morality is determined by a few.

Unlikely Allies at the Vatican

The presentation featured Chris Olah, co-founder of the AI company Anthropic, which developed the Claude model. Olah, an atheist, thanked the Pope and said AI development 'operates inside a set of incentives and constraints that can sometimes conflict with doing the right thing,' citing commercial concerns and geopolitical pressure.

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of the Vatican’s doctrinal department, also spoke. Pope Leo XIV thanked Olah and invited continued collaboration for a 'more just and life-friendly world,' saying he can listen and wants to learn.

Education and Truth as the Path Forward

The encyclical urges education on AI, especially for the young, and identifies truth as an essential element of democracy. It warns that technological progress will inevitably produce structural inequalities as global economic disparity grows.

The Pope called for 'prudence, rigorous evaluation and even, at times, a slower pace in adopting AI,' stating that it is 'an exercise of responsible care for the human family, not opposition to progress.'

The encyclical, which functions as a governing program for this papacy, was the result of listening to scientists, engineers, political leaders, public officials, parents, and teachers. It updates Catholic social ethics to preserve human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.

Data like health flows, epidemiological profiles, genetic maps, and demographic data have become 'the new rare earths of power,' the Pope wrote, warning that control over such data exacerbates inequality.

The document concludes with a call to ensure that AI serves the common good and that responsibility is clearly defined at every stage from design to use. It leaves the faithful with a mandate to reclaim humanity’s role in the face of rapid technological change.