Vatican’s Evolving Stance on Artificial Intelligence
The Vatican is gearing up for the release of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, a document expected to address artificial intelligence and insist on an ethics-based approach to the technology that prioritizes human dignity, social relationships and peace. Vatican officials said Leo signed the document Friday, 135 years to the day after his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, signed his most important encyclical, “Rerum Novarum,” or Of New Things. That document addressed the rights of workers, the limits of capitalism and the obligations that states and employers owed workers as the Industrial Revolution was under way. It became the foundation of modern Catholic social thought, and the current pope has already cited it in relation to the AI revolution, which he believes poses the same existential questions that the Industrial Revolution posed over a century ago. The new encyclical is expected to place the AI question in the context of the church's social teaching, which also covers issues such as labor, justice and peace.
“I think that the Catholic Church in many ways is going to be the adult in the room on some of these debates about how we are going to integrate AI into the rest of our society,” said Meghan Sullivan, a philosophy professor at the University of Notre Dame who directs its ethics institute. “For sure, the pope is going to be one of the most forceful advocates for human dignity in these discussions.”
Just days after his 2025 election, Leo told the cardinals who made him pope that the Catholic Church owed it to the world to offer the “treasury of her social teaching” to confront the challenges posed by AI on “human dignity, justice and labor.” The American pope, a math major who is known to spend time scrolling on his phone, will likely refer to the issue this weekend, since the Vatican on Sunday marks its social communications day with a message dedicated to the human cost of the AI race. In the message, released earlier this year, Leo warned of the need to preserve real human relationships in the face of chatbot “friends,” human genius in the face of AI-powered music and video, and human reality in the face of generative AI deepfakes.
The public release of the encyclical, expected in coming weeks, will likely become a new flashpoint between the Chicago-born Leo and the Trump administration, which has made the rapid development of AI a matter of vital national economic and security strategy. The U.S. has strongly rejected international regulatory efforts to rein in AI, and domestically, the Trump administration has removed bureaucratic roadblocks slowing its development. The document was signed as U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up a visit to China that included AI business. Traveling with Trump on Air Force One were, among others, Elon Musk, whose social media platform X features his AI chatbot Grok, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who recently secured federal approval to sell H200 AI chips to Chinese buyers.
Vatican Wants Its Voice and Values in the AI Debate
Since the AI boom kicked off with ChatGPT’s debut in late 2022, the technology’s breathtaking capabilities have amazed the world. Tech companies have raced to develop better AI systems even as experts warn of its risks, from existential but far-off threats like rogue AIs running out of control to everyday problems like bias in algorithmic hiring systems. The United Nations last year adopted a new governance architecture to rein in AI after previous multilateral efforts, including AI summits organized by Britain, South Korea and France, resulted only in nonbinding pledges. The EU in 2024 adopted its own Artificial Intelligence Act, applying a risk-based approach to its AI rules.
The Vatican has sought to add its voice to the debate, offering ethical guidelines for the application of AI in sectors from warfare to education and healthcare. The underlying call has been that the technology must be used as a tool to complement, and not replace, human intelligence. The Vatican has also warned of the environmental impact of the AI race, recalling the “vast amounts of energy and water” needed for AI data centers and computational power.
“There are almost a billion and a half Catholics in the world, so that alone is reason to pay attention,” said Thomas Harmon, theology professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. “But beyond the numbers, the Catholic Church has a deep and sophisticated tradition of thinking through what it means to be human.”
The Vatican in 2020 enlisted tech companies to sign onto an AI pledge, known as the Rome Call for AI Ethics, which among other things boiled down some core principles for AI regulation, including inclusiveness, accountability, impartiality and privacy. Microsoft, IBM and Cisco were among the private sector companies that signed on. In his final years, Pope Francis called for an international treaty to regulate AI, saying the risks of technology lacking human values of compassion, mercy, morality and forgiveness were too great to merely trust in the morality of AI researchers and developers.
He also brought his authority to bear on the Group of Seven, addressing a special session on the perils and promises of AI in 2024. There, Francis said politicians must take the lead in making sure AI remains human-centric, so that decisions about when to use weapons or even less-lethal tools always remain made by humans. He called ultimately for a ban on the use of lethal autonomous weapons, colloquially known as “killer robots.”
Pope Leo Is AI-Savvy and Concerned With Peace, Truth and Human Relations
In-house, Leo has warned priests against using AI to write their homilies, but he has also raised his voice on the broader implications of AI on world peace, labor and the very meaning of reality. For the Augustinian pope, generative AI’s ability to misinform and deceive through deepfake imagery is particularly worrisome, given that the search for truth is a fundamental element of his religious order's spirituality.
In a June 2025 speech to an AI conference, Leo acknowledged generative AI’s contributions to healthcare and scientific discovery. But he questioned “its possible repercussions on humanity’s openness to truth and beauty, on our distinctive ability to grasp reality.” Leo, who has emphasized a constant appeal for peace, has also called for monitoring how AI is being used and developed in warfare in the Middle East and Ukraine, where automated weapons systems are using everything from aerial drones and maritime and ground platforms.
“What is happening in Ukraine, in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, in Lebanon and in Iran illustrates the inhuman evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies in a spiral of annihilation,” he said this past week at La Sapienza, Europe’s largest university.
Historical Context: From Rerum Novarum to the AI Encyclical
The upcoming encyclical marks the first time a pope has focused a major document on artificial intelligence, but the Vatican’s engagement with technology ethics is not new. The Pontifical Academy for Life has been studying bioethics and technology for decades. In 2017, Pope Francis spoke about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and robotics. The 2020 Rome Call for AI Ethics was a landmark step, bringing together tech giants, religious leaders, and academics to promote an “algor-ethics” approach. The Catholic Church’s emphasis on the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity provides a unique lens for evaluating AI governance.
The date chosen for signing the encyclical—the exact anniversary of “Rerum Novarum”—underscores the continuity of Catholic social teaching. Just as Leo XIII addressed the “new things” of industrialization, Leo XIV addresses the “new things” of the digital age. Both documents wrestle with the tension between technological progress and human dignity. Economists and sociologists have already drawn parallels between the gig economy and the factory system of the 19th century, arguing that AI could exacerbate inequality if not properly regulated.
The Vatican’s stance also resonates with other faith traditions. Leaders from Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism have expressed support for the Rome Call, seeing it as a platform for interfaith cooperation on technology ethics. Muslim scholars have particularly highlighted the need for AI to respect human accountability and prevent harm, principles deeply embedded in Islamic law. Similarly, Jewish thinkers have emphasized the importance of “tikkun olam” (repairing the world) in guiding technological innovation.
Global Reactions and Implications
The encyclical is expected to influence not only Catholics but also policymakers and tech leaders worldwide. While the Vatican has no direct political power, its moral authority commands attention. In Europe, where the AI Act is already in place, the encyclical could reinforce existing regulations. In developing countries, where AI adoption is accelerating, the Church’s voice might shape national policies. Some observers note that the Vatican’s focus on human dignity aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to decent work and reduced inequalities.
However, the encyclical will likely face criticism from those who see it as overly cautious or technophobic. Tech libertarians argue that heavy regulation stifles innovation and that market forces will naturally correct ethical lapses. Others worry that the Vatican’s involvement could inject religious values into secular policy debates. But supporters counter that ethical guidelines are needed precisely because markets fail to address systemic harms, such as algorithmic bias or the exploitation of labor by AI-driven platforms.
The timing of the encyclical—coinciding with Trump’s pro-business AI policies and China’s AI ambitions—adds geopolitical significance. The Rome Call has already been endorsed by the United Nations, the European Commission, and several multinational corporations. If the encyclical reiterates a ban on autonomous weapons, it could influence ongoing negotiations at the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. Similarly, its calls for transparency and accountability might encourage consumer pressure on companies to adopt ethical AI practices.
Environmental and Labor Dimensions
One of the less discussed aspects of AI is its environmental footprint. The Vatican’s 2023 document “The Good Algorithm: An Ethic for AI” highlighted the massive energy consumption of large language models and data centers. Leo XIV has reiterated this concern, linking AI to the broader climate crisis. The encyclical is expected to call for sustainable AI development, urging companies to invest in renewable energy for data centers and to minimize water usage.
On the labor front, the Vatican has expressed worry that AI could lead to widespread job displacement, especially among low-skilled workers in developing nations. The Church has historically advocated for just wages and safe working conditions, and these principles will likely be extended to the AI economy. Pope Leo has previously suggested that governments should consider universal basic income or other social safety nets to cushion the impact of automation. This stance aligns with the International Labour Organization’s recent reports on the future of work.
Expert Perspectives
Academics and ethicists have praised the Vatican’s approach for being proactive rather than reactive. “The Church is not saying AI is evil; it is saying we must be mindful of how it shapes our humanity,” said Dr. Samara Vargas, a technology ethicist at Georgetown University. “The encyclical will provide a moral compass for engineers and policymakers who often operate without ethical guidance.”
Others note that the Vatican’s emphasis on relationships and community offers a counterpoint to the individualistic ethos of Silicon Valley. “AI tends to isolate us through recommendation algorithms and chatbots,” remarked Fr. John Donovan, a theology professor at Boston College. “The Church reminds us that we are created for communion, not for digital solipsism.”
Conclusion Avoidance: Continuing the Discussion
As the world awaits the full text of the encyclical, the Vatican continues to engage with AI experts, tech companies, and civil society. The Pope’s social media presence—he is known to post on X and Instagram—demonstrates a willingness to use modern tools while critiquing their excesses. The release date has not been announced, but sources indicate it will be in late June or early July 2026.
Meanwhile, the AI industry shows no signs of slowing down. New models such as Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, and China’s DeepSeek are pushing the boundaries of what AI can do. The Vatican’s call for an ethics-based approach may not stop the race for supremacy, but it provides a moral benchmark against which future developments can be measured. As Leo XIV prepares to address the faithful and the world, the ancient institution of the papacy offers a thoughtful voice in the accelerating debate over humanity’s relationship with machines.
The Associated Press previously reported that the Vatican’s culture department has begun training priests and educators in AI literacy, aiming to equip the next generation to navigate the digital landscape with critical thinking and faith. In the coming months, expect further statements from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Council for Culture, both of which have been directed to develop pastoral guidelines on AI. The encyclical will serve as the cornerstone of these efforts, cementing the Church’s role as a global moral authority in the age of intelligence augmentation.
Source: WJXT News