Pope Leo XIV will release his first encyclical on Monday, a document titled “Magnifica Humanitas” that addresses the preservation of human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. The pope will be joined at the unveiling by Chris Olah, co-founder of AI company Anthropic, marking an unusual collaboration between the Catholic Church and the technology industry.
The encyclical was signed on May 15, 2026, deliberately chosen to coincide with the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s landmark “Rerum Novarum.” Pope Leo XIV, who was elected in May 2025, has made addressing technological challenges to human dignity a priority of his papacy.
Main Developments
The upcoming encyclical represents a significant moment in the Catholic Church’s engagement with artificial intelligence. According to confirmed information, the document will focus on “the unbridled promotion and implementation of technology at the expense of human dignity and the damage caused when chatbots and other technologies exploit our need for human relationships.”
The pope has signaled that his encyclical will address “developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.” This language suggests the document will tackle both philosophical and practical concerns about AI’s impact on society.
Last week, Pope Leo XIV approved the creation of a new interdepartmental Vatican commission specifically designed to discuss AI’s effects on humanity. This institutional move indicates the Church’s commitment to ongoing engagement with artificial intelligence issues beyond the encyclical’s release.
Charles Camosy, professor of moral theology at Catholic University of America, offered insight into what the document may contain. “I think we should expect something that is of two minds,” Camosy said, explaining that the encyclical will likely “apply the gospel and the church’s tradition to the signs of the times.”
Camosy also noted that he expects “new strategies and calls to action based specifically on artificial intelligence” and observed that “the very concept of the human seems up for grabs, and I strongly suspect the encyclical will push back firmly against that.”
What We Know So Far
Pope Leo XIV will release “Magnifica Humanitas” on Monday, his first encyclical since being elected in May 2025. Chris Olah, co-founder of Anthropic, will join the pope at the unveiling. The document was formally signed on May 15, 2026, marking the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s “Rerum Novarum.”
The pope approved the creation of a new Vatican commission on AI last week. For context, Pope Francis released four encyclicals during his 12 years as pope, making this first encyclical from Leo XIV a closely watched document.
Anthropic, the AI company co-founded by Olah, has been actively engaging with religious communities. The company held events for religious leaders in March and April 2026 at its headquarters. Anthropic trains its AI system Claude to conform to a constitution known internally as the “soul” document, which the company says “expresses and shapes who Claude is” and describes “the kind of entity we would like Claude to be.”
Vatican Position on AI Personhood
Vatican theologians have taken a clear position opposing the concept of AI having personhood or a soul. Will Jones, who leads faith outreach at Future of Life Institute, stated: “I think most religious people, and certainly people from most Abrahamic faiths, would object to the idea that a system like Anthropic’s Claude could ever have personhood.”
Jones emphasized that “human dignity can’t so much be lost, but it can be desecrated and undermined and exploited and abused. Instead, it should be affirmed and celebrated and protected.”
Paolo Benanti, a Franciscan friar who serves as a papal AI adviser, articulated the theological distinction in December 2025. “For the Christian believer, human intelligence is distinct and sacred, characterized by a capacity for wisdom, moral reasoning, and an orientation toward truth and beauty,” Benanti wrote. “These are qualities of the soul — the ‘divine spark’ — not the output of probabilistic computation.”
Technology Industry Engagement with Religion
The collaboration between the Vatican and an AI company co-founder reflects a broader trend of technology firms seeking engagement with religious communities on ethical questions. Anthropic published a blog post in January 2026 discussing the constitution that guides Claude’s behavior, which they refer to internally as the “soul” document.
Will Jones articulated why such engagement matters, stating that “the questions posed by AI are bigger than the AI community. We urgently need the world — religions, civil society, academics, governments — to participate in creating a positive outcome.”
The pope himself has expressed concern about the current moment, stating: “We are truly experiencing an eclipse of the sense of what it means to be human.”
What Happens Next
The full contents of “Magnifica Humanitas” will be revealed Monday when Pope Leo XIV formally releases the document. The encyclical’s specific new strategies and calls to action will become clear at that time.
The new interdepartmental Vatican commission on AI will presumably begin its work following the encyclical’s release, though specific details about commission members have not been announced.
The document is expected to establish the Church’s official teaching on artificial intelligence and human dignity, providing guidance for the world’s approximately 1.3 billion Catholics on how to approach these emerging technologies.
Historical Significance
The timing of the encyclical’s signing was deliberate. By choosing May 15, 2026, Pope Leo XIV linked his document to Pope Leo XIII’s “Rerum Novarum” from 1891, which addressed the rights of workers during the Industrial Revolution. The 135th anniversary connection suggests Pope Leo XIV views artificial intelligence as presenting similarly transformative challenges to human society.
Pope Francis, Leo XIV’s predecessor, released four encyclicals during his 12 years leading the Catholic Church. The pace at which Leo XIV has produced his first encyclical, approximately one year after his election in May 2025, indicates the urgency he attaches to addressing AI’s implications for human dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Pope Leo XIV release his encyclical on AI?
Pope Leo XIV will release “Magnifica Humanitas,” his first encyclical addressing artificial intelligence and human dignity, on Monday.
What is the Vatican’s position on AI having a soul?
Vatican theologians oppose granting AI personhood or the concept of a soul. Papal adviser Paolo Benanti has stated that human intelligence is “distinct and sacred” with qualities of “the soul — the ‘divine spark’ — not the output of probabilistic computation.”
Who is Chris Olah and why is he at the Vatican?
Chris Olah is a co-founder of Anthropic, an artificial intelligence company. He will join Pope Leo XIV at the unveiling of the encyclical on Monday. Anthropic has been engaging with religious leaders, holding events for them in March and April 2026.
What does Magnifica Humanitas mean?
The title is Latin. The encyclical focuses on preserving human dignity in the face of AI, according to the information released about the document.
When was Pope Leo XIV elected?
Pope Leo XIV was elected in May 2025. The upcoming encyclical will be his first since becoming pope.
The release of “Magnifica Humanitas” on Monday will mark the first time a pope has devoted an entire encyclical to addressing artificial intelligence. The document’s full contents and specific recommendations remain unknown until the formal unveiling, when Pope Leo XIV will present his teaching alongside Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah in Vatican City.
