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Pope Leo has approved the establishment of an inter-dicasterial commission at the Vatican on artificial intelligence—another sign of the importance he places on A.I. developments.
Pope Leo XIV has officially sanctioned the creation of an inter-dicasterial commission within the Vatican dedicated to artificial intelligence (A.I.). This significant announcement, made on May 16, follows an audience between the Pope and Cardinal Michael Czerny S.J., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, on May 3. The establishment of this commission is a clear indicator of the immense importance Pope Leo places on A.I. developments and their far-reaching implications for humanity and the Church. The papal decree, known as a *rescriptum*, explicitly cites the rapid advancement and widespread adoption of A.I. technologies in recent decades as the primary impetus for this decision. It highlights A.I.'s potential effects on individual human beings and society as a whole, underscoring the Church's foundational commitment to upholding the dignity of every human person. This concern extends specifically to ensuring A.I. contributes to, rather than detracts from, integral human development. The commission is designed to serve as a centralized body to address the complex ethical, social, and theological questions arising from A.I., reflecting a proactive stance by the Holy See to guide these technologies in alignment with Catholic social teaching. This strategic move aims to consolidate various Vatican efforts into a cohesive approach, signaling a new phase in the Church's engagement with cutting-edge technology.
The newly formed Vatican A.I. commission draws its membership from a diverse array of influential dicasteries and pontifical academies, ensuring a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the subject. Participating institutions include the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, and the Dicastery for Communication. Additionally, the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences will each appoint a representative. The decree specifies that the head of each of these seven entities will designate their respective delegate, and any subsequent alterations to the commission's composition will require the explicit approval of Pope Leo. For its initial term, which is set for one year and is renewable, the crucial task of coordinating the commission has been assigned to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. This coordinating institution bears the responsibility of fostering robust collaboration and facilitating the efficient exchange of vital information among all members. Its mandate includes overseeing activities and projects related to Artificial Intelligence, encompassing the formulation of policies for the appropriate use of A.I. within the Holy See itself. Furthermore, it is charged with actively promoting dialogue, communion, and broad participation across the various departments involved, ensuring a unified and consistent Church voice on A.I. matters.
The establishment of this inter-dicasterial commission marks a significant evolution in the Vatican's long-standing engagement with artificial intelligence. For more than a decade, various offices within the Roman Curia and several pontifical academies have independently explored the ramifications of A.I., convening expert discussions and issuing occasional texts. A notable instance of the Vatican's increasing prominence in this field was Pope Francis's historic invitation to address world leaders on A.I. ethics at the G7 summit in June 2024, a groundbreaking event for any pontiff. Until now, these diverse efforts lacked formal, centralized coordination. With this new decree, Pope Leo XIV, who assumed the papacy on May 8, 2025, and is noted as the first American pope, has decisively moved to unify these initiatives. His pontificate has been characterized by frequent pronouncements on artificial intelligence, signaling its high priority in his vision for the Church and the world. A forthcoming encyclical, anticipated for release on May 25, is widely expected to delve deeply into the topic of A.I., further elaborating on the Church's theological and ethical framework. Cardinal Czerny, in his response to *America* magazine, warmly welcomed the commission, describing it as a "real sign of hope." He emphasized its critical role in equipping the Roman Curia to effectively address the multifaceted challenges presented by A.I., both within the internal structures of the Church and across the global community. He also referenced the constitution "Praedicate Evangelium," which mandates dicasteries to examine "the major problems of the current age" to enhance the Church’s pastoral activity and coordination, thus providing a canonical foundation for this new commission.