Pope Leo XIV Hints Future Debates On AI Will Involve Religion, Philosophy

Pope Leo has launched first encyclical, partners with Anthropic on AI and warned against AI control by a few while urging strict ethical limits on AI in warfare.

Pope Leo XIV has argued that artificial intelligence must serve the humanity, not replace it.

Unlike some papal bulls, encyclicals are generally teaching documents than legal decrees.

The Pope formally signed the encyclical, containing about 43,000 words, on May 15.

The proposals in the first major theological document of his pontificate include protecting the distinctive “grandeur of humanity" amid rapidly changing technology and for the use of AI in warfare to be subject to “the most rigorous ethical constraints".

The encyclical pushes for government regulation of powerful AI companies and protection and retaining of workers whose jobs may be in danger.

Previously, the Pope created an in-house study group on artificial intelligence because of the acceleration in AI’s use.

Days after his 2025 election, Leo told the cardinals that the Catholic Church owed it to the world to offer the “treasury of its social teaching" to confront the challenges posed by AI on “human dignity, justice and labour."

By focusing on AI, Pope Leo has hinted that future debates around AI may increasingly involve religion and philosophy.