Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to address 'Protecting Humans in the Age of AI' in his first encyclical; the event will also feature the co-founder of Anthropic.

by Catholic Church England and Wales

Pope Leo XIV has announced that he plans to issue his first encyclical on May 25, 2026. An encyclical is a document issued by the Pope to all bishops worldwide, and Leo XIV's encyclical will be themed on 'the protection of humanity in the age of artificial intelligence.'

The Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, was published on May 25 - Vatican News
https://www.vaticannews.va/ja/pope/news/2026-05/leone-xiv-comunicazione-prima-enciclica-magnifica-humanitas.html

Pope Leo to address rise of AI in first major text on May 25 | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-leo-issue-first-major-work-addressing-ai-may-25-2026-05-18/

Pope and cofounder of Anthropic to launch pontiff's AI encyclical on May 25 - The Economic Times
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/pope-and-cofounder-of-anthropic-to-launch-pontiffs-ai-encyclical-on-may-25/articleshow/131175749.cms

On May 18, 2026, the Vatican Press Office announced that Pope Leo XIV will promulgate his first encyclical since taking office, 'Magnifica Humanitas' (Magnifica Humanitas), in the Synod Hall of the Vatican on May 25.

According to sources, the Magnifica Humanitas is likely to condemn the use of AI in war and address how AI technology threatens workers' rights. Leo XIV, who holds a degree in mathematics, has made it clear that AI 'must be useful to humans, not replace them.'

Furthermore, Pope Leo XIV stated, 'True preaching is about sharing faith. AI can never share faith,' and instructed priests not to use AI to write sermons.

Pope Leo XIV has banned the use of AI to create sermons, demonstrating the Vatican's efforts to establish thoughtful AI leadership - GIGAZINE

John Sabis, a former Vatican correspondent for the international media outlet Reuters, explains, 'The Pope's first encyclical typically outlines his priorities and focuses on matters he considers to be serious social and moral issues for the modern world.'

Normally, the Pope does not publicly announce documents he has written; they are announced by Vatican cardinals and a small number of members of the press. However, breaking with tradition, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to attend the announcement of this encyclical at the Vatican.

Several cardinals and theologians will give speeches at the encyclical presentation of Leo XIV, and it has also been announced that Christopher Oler, co-founder of the AI development company Anthropic, which produces the AI tool Claude, and who specializes in research on AI safety, will also give a speech.

Anthropic has restricted the use of its proprietary AI for 'large-scale domestic surveillance' and 'fully autonomous weapons,' and in February 2026, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hexeth, who disliked this restriction, pressured Anthropic to either 'lift the restrictions on Claude or sever ties with the government.'

Subsequently, Anthropic CEO Dalio Amodi rejected the government's demands , stating that they would 'not succumb to threats.' In response, President Donald Trump claimed that 'Anthropic's left-wing fanatics were trying to control the U.S. military' and ordered the company to sever ties , designating Anthropic as a 'supply chain risk to U.S. national security.'

AI company Anthropic officially designated as a 'supply chain risk to U.S. national security,' Anthropic declares it will fight the case in court - GIGAZINE

In April, President Trump showed a willingness to cooperate with Anthropic , but the relationship between Anthropic and the US government remains delicate. Pope Leo XIV also criticized the war between the US and Israel and Iran, and has a strained relationship with President Trump, so the two are in similar positions.

Incidentally, May 15, 2026, the date on which Leo XIV signed the encyclical, marks exactly 135 years since Leo XIII signed ' Rerum Novarum, ' the first encyclical to address social issues.

The Norm Novarum discussed workers' rights, the limitations of capitalism, and the obligations that the state and employers owe to workers during the Industrial Revolution. In his new encyclical, Leo XIV is expected to place the issue of AI within the social context of the Catholic Church, which includes labor, justice, and peace.

Furthermore, prior to the publication of Leo XIV's encyclical, it was also announced that the Vatican plans to establish a committee to coordinate the Catholic Church's response to AI.

Pope Leo launches AI commission – POLITICO
https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-leo-launches-ai-commission-ahead-of-first-encyclical/