Pope Leo XIV has established an in-house study group on artificial intelligence, signaling the Vatican's ongoing deep concern regarding the technology. This initiative precedes the release of his first encyclical, a significant document expected to advocate for an ethics-based approach to AI, emphasizing human dignity and global peace. The creation of the study group was prompted by the rapid acceleration of AI's use and its profound potential impacts on humanity. This new encyclical is anticipated to frame the AI discussion within the established context of Catholic social teachings, drawing parallels to Pope Leo XIII’s 'Rerum Novarum' which addressed the societal changes brought by the Industrial Revolution.
The Vatican wants its voice and values in the AI debate
The Vatican is actively seeking to contribute a moral and ethical perspective to the global artificial intelligence debate, following the rapid advancements seen since ChatGPT's emergence. Experts have raised concerns about AI's inherent risks, from potential existential threats to everyday problems like algorithmic bias. In response, international bodies like the United Nations have adopted new governance architectures for AI, and the European Union has implemented its own AI Act based on a risk-based approach. The Vatican has consistently offered ethical guidelines for AI applications across various sectors, including warfare, education, and healthcare, stressing that technology should augment, not replace, human intelligence. It has also highlighted AI's substantial environmental footprint, particularly the vast energy and water consumption of data centers. Prominent figures like Meghan Sullivan from the University of Notre Dame emphasize the Catholic Church's potential as a leading advocate for human dignity in these discussions, leveraging its rich tradition of philosophical and social thought. Past efforts include the 'Rome Call for AI Ethics' in 2020, signed by major tech companies like Microsoft and IBM, which outlined principles such as inclusiveness, accountability, impartiality, and privacy. Additionally, Pope Francis previously called for an international treaty to regulate AI, underscoring the dangers of technology devoid of human values like compassion and morality, and advocating for a ban on lethal autonomous weapons.
AI-savvy Leo is concerned with peace, truth and human relations
Pope Leo XIV, despite being noted as a 'math major pope' who engages with technology, holds significant concerns regarding the broader societal implications of artificial intelligence. He has cautioned priests against using AI for homilies and is deeply worried about its impact on global peace, labor, and the fundamental nature of reality. A central concern for the Augustinian Pope is generative AI's capacity for misinformation and deception through 'deepfake imagery,' which directly challenges his religious order's core pursuit of truth. In a June 2025 speech, he acknowledged AI's benefits in healthcare and scientific discovery but questioned its repercussions on 'humanity’s openness to truth and beauty, on our distinctive ability to grasp reality.' Furthermore, Pope Leo XIV, known for his appeals for peace, has called for vigilant monitoring of AI's use and development in military contexts, particularly in conflict zones like the Middle East and Ukraine. He has observed that the deployment of automated weapon systems in these regions illustrates an 'inhuman evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies in a spiral of annihilation,' reinforcing his commitment to ensuring technology serves human well-being and peace.
