Pope Leo XIV will release his first encyclical, a circular letter addressed to bishops, on May 25, the Vatican said, citing a Reuters report. The document will address the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the challenges it poses to workers' rights.
The encyclical is titled Magnifica Humanitas, which translates as "The Magnificent Humanity," and the Vatican stated it will concern "the protection of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence." Reuters sources also indicate the text will refer to global wars that have shaken the world.
The pope, who is of American origin, has previously criticized U.S. President Donald Trump and the war in Iran, and those criticisms have led to public clashes with the president, according to media reports. Nevertheless, the new encyclical is primarily expected to address social and labor issues.
Encyclicals are among the most important forms of papal teaching and, through church leaders and the clergy, reach about 1.4 billion Catholic faithful. Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical was prepared over several months and, according to the Vatican, will tackle numerous social topics; it is being described as potentially the most comprehensive guidance in decades from the Church on workers' rights.
The pope signed the document on May 15 — a date noted in connection with the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's encyclical, which at the end of the 19th century advocated higher wages and improved working conditions for laborers.
Christopher Olah, co-founder of the artificial intelligence company Anthropic, will participate alongside Pope Leo XIV at the presentation of the text, the Vatican said.
The Vatican has not released further details about the encyclical's contents ahead of the May 25 publication.
Why this matters
- Papal encyclicals significantly shape Church teaching and the social positions of Catholic institutions.
- A papal statement on AI and labor rights could influence debates among religious actors, civil society, and policymakers about the ethical and social consequences of the technology.
Sources
Information based on a Vatican statement and reporting by Reuters.
