The release of Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas: on Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence”, offers the Church and the world an important moment of reflection during a time of rapid technological change. While the Holy Father addresses the growing influence of artificial intelligence, this encyclical is, above all, a profound affirmation of the dignity of the human person. Pope Leo reminds us that every person possesses an intrinsic dignity that can never be replaced, measured, or diminished by technological advancement. In a culture increasingly shaped by efficiency, algorithms, and digital interaction, the Holy Father calls us to ensure that technology always remains at the service of the human person, never the other way around.
Standing firmly within the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, Magnifica Humanitas echoes the Church’s long-standing mission to accompany humanity through periods of great social transformation with wisdom, compassion, and hope. Pope Leo writes that his desire is to help people “rediscover their duty” to live these principles within family life, work, and society. As shared in my March 2025 Leading the Flock column, these technologies should be approached as tools that can support authentic human flourishing, while never replacing those capacities and relationships that are distinctly human in nature.
The Holy Father encourages the Church not to withdraw from conversations regarding technological advances, but instead to engage the modern world through the eyes of Jesus, the Incarnate Word, with attentive listening, respectful dialogue, and faithful witness to the truth of the Gospel. Pope Leo invites us all to discernment during this “change of era” where crucial questions impose themselves on our conscience: “Where are we going? Toward what goal do we wish to orient ourselves? What direction should we choose as a people and as a human community?”
As we continue navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence, we remain committed to safeguarding the God-given dignity of every human person and ensuring that our use of technology always reflects the truth that each person is created in the image and likeness of God. The dignity of the person must be the criterion of all progress.
The text of Pope Leo’s Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas; Magnificent Humanity, may be found here: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html
Bishop Daniel E. Thomas’ Leading the Flock Column (March, 2025), AI: A Catholic Perspective, may be found here: https://toledodiocese.org/diocesan-news/ai-a-catholic-perspective
Posted May 26, 2026 at 3:10 pm