On the 135th anniversary of the encyclical Rerum novarum, Pope Leo XIV presented his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, a reflection on the Church’s social doctrine in times of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

In a context marked by the accelerated advance of artificial intelligence, where human dignity may be threatened by the concentration of technological power and new forms of dehumanization, Pope Leo XIV recalled the “urgent duty” to remain profoundly human.

Faced with an era marked by polarization, violence, and a growing “culture of power,” in which war is once again presented as an instrument of international politics, the Pontiff warned of the need to ensure that technological progress does not cause the human heart to regress.

In his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, the Pope called for the promotion of scientific and digital development guided by ethics, the dignity of the person, justice, and peace, always placing humanity at the center. Furthermore, it calls for safeguarding “a magnificent humanity inhabited by God,” promoting a culture centered on truth, the dignity of work, social justice, and peace. Faced with the challenges of the technological age, it warns of the risks of artificial intelligence without ethical criteria and proposes placing the human person back at the center of development.

The encyclical also calls for disarming artificial intelligence used for military purposes, overcoming the logic of “just war,” and strengthening dialogue, international cooperation, and multilateralism as paths to building lasting peace.

The document warns that humanity is undergoing a historic transformation in which technology offers great opportunities for progress, but also risks such as dehumanization, manipulation, and increased inequality. In response, the Pope calls for the promotion of an ethic that places the person at the center.

Finally, the encyclical underscores the responsibility of governments, businesses, scientists, and educators to ensure that technological innovation is guided by human, social, and spiritual principles.

The Holy See’s website has published the encyclical in more than eight languages.

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