An Ethical Vision for Protecting Humanity in the Digital Age...Pope Leo XIV Launches First Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence: "Wonderful Humanity"

On May 25, 2026, the Vatican witnessed an official meeting chaired by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to present the first encyclical of his pontificate, titled "Wonderful Humanity," dedicated to the theme of "Protecting Humanity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence." This event is considered one of the most prominent milestones at the beginning of the new pontificate, given the encyclical's ethical and spiritual vision regarding the profound transformations the world is experiencing amidst the digital revolution and the accelerating development of artificial intelligence technologies. This event was exceptional and important for the Holy See, as the Pope personally participated for the first time in presenting the document he authored.The meeting was attended by a number of prominent ecclesiastical and academic figures, and ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, led by the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, and the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal Michael Czerny. Also noteworthy was the presence of American researcher Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic and specialist in AI interpretability research, whom the Pope welcomed and thanked for his contribution to the discussion on the future of this technology and its impact on human lives.The encyclical addresses both the Church and the world, offering a human and faith-based approach to contemporary challenges related to human dignity, social justice, and the future of human civilization. From the very first pages, the Pope demonstrates a deep awareness of the increasing impact of the artificial intelligence revolution in various aspects of life, emphasizing that technology is not evil in itself, but neither is it neutral; it reflects the values and choices adopted by its developers, funders, and users. As it seems to be in an endless race, His Holiness stresses the need to establish controls and laws to regulate its use in a way that preserves humanity, human dignity, and faith in God's power.This encyclical, "Wonderful Humanity," consists of five chapters totaling 245 paragraphs, forming an integrated path for reflection on the relationship between humanity and technology in light of Christian faith, the Church's social teaching, and the interconnectedness of science and faith. Through this systematic structure, Pope Leo XIV calls for a rediscovery of the concept of the common good as the ethical framework that should guide scientific and technological development. He emphasizes that preserving human humanity in the age of artificial intelligence requires adopting a courageous mindset based on shared responsibility and partnership among peoples, institutions, and individuals, away from the logic of domination and contempt. He believes that the real challenge lies not in what technology can do, but in the kind of human being we want to create through it. Therefore, he affirms that the world is called to realize anew that the human heart is the place where God wants to dwell, and that any progress that does not safeguard this truth remains incomplete, no matter its technical and scientific achievements, noting that machines are devoid of emotions and feelings.Based on the principle of the common good, the Pope calls for directing technological innovation towards serving humanity and promoting its dignity, rather than transforming it into a tool for domination, exclusion, or discrimination. He believes that the future of technology should be measured by its contribution to human flourishing and the protection of fundamental human rights, and by harnessing technology for the common good, not by its ability to generate profits or expand influence. The document also indicates that artificial intelligence and modern technology may contribute to the emergence of new forms of slavery, exploitation, and the marginalization of labor groups in various development sectors, particularly through harsh working conditions associated with the extraction of raw materials necessary for digital technologies, as well as by transforming personal and life data into an exploitable economic resource, constituting a new form of digital colonialism. The Pope affirms that combating these phenomena represents a crucial ethical test in the era of digital transformation and immense technological development, reiterating the Church's categorical condemnation of all forms of slavery and human trafficking, and warning that complacency with the violation of human dignity makes one a partner in it. He also expresses the Church's regret for its historical delay in condemning slavery, emphasizing adherence to the role of the United Nations and other international organizations while keeping pace with contemporary developments, within the framework of the "Civilization of Love" project proposed by the Church as a model based on solidarity, justice, brotherhood, and the service of the global common good. The text criticizes the normalization of war in contemporary political and media discourse, the decline of historical memory, and the dominance of military and economic interests that fuel conflicts, and calls for transcending the theory of "just war" as a framework often used to justify wars, while retaining the right to legitimate self-defense in its narrow sense. Regarding military artificial intelligence, he affirms that ethical decisions cannot be delegated to machines, and that the use of lethal force must remain subject to direct human responsibility, with strict international controls to prevent an arms race and protect civilians and human dignity. He also noted the danger of promoting a culture of force that makes war easier and more devoid of human dimension, through automation, media disinformation, and arms races.The document affirms that the common good is the social expression of the inherent dignity of every human being, and cannot be achieved apart from respecting the right of peoples to exist and to self-determination, and preserving their distinct identity away from control and occupation, and contributing their unique characteristics to the human family. From this perspective, any project or attempt aimed at eliminating or subjugating a people is ethically condemned, considering it a grave violation of human dignity and the fundamental rights of peoples.One of the most prominent points raised by the encyclical is the call for "disarming artificial intelligence" (To Disarm AI), similar to historical international calls for nuclear disarmament. This call gains special importance in the context of the encyclical's stance on war and violence, while preserving the right to self-defense, as it re-examines the concept of "just war" which has been used throughout history to justify armed conflicts, considering it no longer valid to address the complexities of the current era. Instead, the document calls for establishing a culture of dialogue, diplomacy, and forgiveness, emphasizing that true peace is not imposed by force, but is built on the foundations of justice, understanding, and reconciliation. It stresses that technical decisions must not be separated from ethical awareness and human responsibility; because technology's weakening of human critical capacity threatens the foundations of true peace based on justice, not merely the absence of war. In contrast, the challenge is not limited to mitigating risks, including the misuse of artificial intelligence, but also requires building a common human future. Based on His Holiness's experience in reconstruction after natural disasters in Peru, he affirms that true building does not only mean compensating for what was physically lost, but also includes restoring human relationships, regaining trust, and reviving hope, in a collective process that individuals cannot accomplish in isolation from each other.He strongly criticized the intellectual trends associated with the movements called "transhumanism and posthumanism," which see technological progress as a means to transcend natural human limits or radically reshape humanity through the integration of humans and machines and advanced technologies. His Holiness believes that the problem lies not in technology itself, but in the anthropological vision behind it; for when humans are reduced to a material capable of improvement or a being to be surpassed, their dignity becomes linked to efficiency and performance rather than being an inherent value. The document warns that this logic could lead to justifying discrimination against the weak or considering some humans less valuable in the name of progress and improving the human race. Therefore, the Church's social teaching emphasizes the need to integrate technological development within a human and ethical vision that recognizes the equal dignity of all persons, and rejects, in contrast, any conception that promises a purely technical salvation or imagines a future in which the fundamental limits of the human condition are abolished. The document believes that human limits, weakness, and suffering are not deficiencies to be overcome, but part of human nature and a source of growth in compassion, love, and wisdom. Therefore, technological progress should serve human dignity and relationships, not seek to replace or transcend human nature; because human perfection is achieved in love and openness to God and others, not in technical superiority alone.The Pope also emphasized the pivotal role of the family as an institution based on the stable union between man and woman, seeing it as a fundamental social good and the indispensable primary cell in building society. Therefore, he calls for its support and protection through social and labor policies that promote stability and respect the human rhythm of life and work, ensuring society's ability to build its future and sustain its development, warning against the negative consequences of prioritizing technology at the expense of family cohesion.The encyclical's vision is based on the Bible and the Church's social teaching, placing the common good, human rights, and integral human development at its core. It also warns against the dangers of using technology as a tool to impose new forms of digital colonialism or to perpetuate wars and strengthen systems of control and domination. In the face of what it describes as a "culture of force," the document calls for building a "civilization of love" based on solidarity, shared responsibility, and respect for human dignity.In one of the most symbolic passages, the Pope indicates that humanity today stands before two choices: rebuilding the Tower of Babel, with all it symbolizes of division, conflict, and competition, or building the city of Jerusalem as a symbol of unity, coexistence, and communion between humanity and God. This symbolic depiction summarizes the document's essential message, which believes that technological progress must be a means to promote human brotherhood, not a cause for further divisions and fragmentation.The encyclical also affirms that the Church does not oppose science or innovation, but encourages scientific and technological progress as part of the process of human development. However, this progress imposes unprecedented ethical responsibilities in an era where humanity possesses an enormous capacity to influence its destiny and future. Hence comes the warning that the uncontrolled use of technology, and through artificial intelligence, could lead to the erosion of the human dimension and the reduction of humanity to standards of productivity, efficiency, and profitability.In a historically significant evocation, Pope Leo XIV links his encyclical to the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who in 1891 issued the encyclical "Rerum Novarum," defending the rights of workers in the face of the challenges of the Industrial Revolution, and reminding that "at pivotal moments in history, the Church is called to read the new things in the light of the Gospel and human dignity... He then realized that the Church could not remain on the sidelines of these profound changes... So the encyclical 'Rerum Novarum' clearly expressed the Church's evangelical and social vision towards this stage."He affirmed that just as the Church then stood by humanity in the face of forms of economic exploitation, it finds itself today facing a similar ethical responsibility in dealing with the challenges of the digital revolution and artificial intelligence.Through "Wonderful Humanity," Pope Leo XIV sets out the parameters of a new vision that combines faith, ethics, and technology, affirming that any true civilizational progress can only be achieved if humanity, as a creature made in God's image and likeness, remains the center and ultimate goal of development.The encyclical calls for promoting dialogue as an alternative to the culture of force, and for moving towards a culture based on negotiation and understanding, while emphasizing the crucial importance of interreligious dialogue as a means of spreading the message of peace. It also rejects the use of God's name to justify terrorism, violence, or war, considering it a distortion of the nature of religion itself. It indicates that the diplomacy of the Holy See adopts the principle of evangelical mercy as a practical criterion for political action, while emphasizing the importance of prayer, because peace in its essence is a divine gift.At the conclusion of his address to the attendees, His Holiness called on everyone to be vigilant and responsible in facing the challenges of the age, and to play an active role as "makers of hope" who contribute to building the present and the future, concluding with the wish that the spirit of the Risen Christ would support joint efforts in the service of humanity and society.This document expresses the profound wisdom and compassionate humanity of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, and his deep concern for human dignity, justice, and the welfare of humanity, and the exploitation of artificial intelligence to destroy humanity and its civilizational achievements through wars, as we have seen in the war on Gaza or the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. It is a very important document for building humanity and protecting it from the actions of evil people.In conclusion, we see that the document has anticipated events, and its centrality is humanity and the protection of the future of humanity with the accelerating technological development, especially artificial intelligence. We hope that this document will be read carefully, and that it will be linked to the "Human Fraternity" document signed by the late Pope Francis with the Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and perhaps we will introduce amendments to our provisional constitution to keep pace with the challenges of the age. In my opinion, it is important to make a decision to include this document in the curricula of schools and universities, especially Catholic ones, for its potential to contribute to building nations, societies, and homelands on the foundations of truth, justice, and peace, placing humanity at the center.