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TL;DR
Pope Leo XIV issued an encyclical emphasizing AI’s societal risks and moral challenges, notably involving Anthropic. The event signals the Church’s active engagement with AI ethics, raising questions about industry influence.
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, titled Magnifica humanitas, was personally presented at the Vatican on May 15, 2024, addressing the societal and moral implications of artificial intelligence. The document emphasizes that technology is ‘never neutral,’ reflecting the Pope’s direct engagement with AI ethics and industry influence, notably involving Anthropic’s co-founder.
The encyclical warns that AI concentrates power in the hands of a few, risking increased inequality and social division. It underscores the importance of shared ethical standards and accountability in AI development, framing the technology as a moral issue that must serve the common good.
During the presentation, the Vatican included notable figures such as Professor Anna Rowlands and Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, with AI expert Chris Olah from Anthropic present in the audience. The choice of Anthropic, known for its focus on safety and interpretability, aligns with the encyclical’s emphasis on human dignity and responsible AI development.
Technology is never neutral — and neither were the empty chairs
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical casts AI as this century’s Rerum novarum moment. He presented it personally — with Anthropic’s co-founder in the room. OpenAI, Google DeepMind & xAI were not. For a “broadside against AI companies,” that guest list is itself an argument.
A Rerum novarum for the age of AI
The signing date wasn’t incidental. Leo XIV chose the 135th anniversary of Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical — and, by taking the Leonine name, cast himself as the pope who answers AI as Leo XIII answered industry.
The same move, 135 years apart
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Five chapters, one worry: concentration
The recurring anxiety is that AI’s power lands “in the hands of only a few” — and that a more moral AI isn’t enough “if that morality is determined by a few.”
A dynamic doctrine, faithful to the Gospel
Situating AI in the Church’s social teaching — the living tradition from Rerum novarum onward.
Foundations & principles
Human dignity that is “neither acquired nor earned”; the common good; the universal destination of goods — tech must not be held by a few.
Technology & dominance
The “technocratic paradigm.” AI can simulate a person but has no moral conscience or empathy. Calls to “disarm” AI from the logic of competition.
Safeguarding humanity: truth, work, freedom
The “new ways” of working aren’t always better; AI too often makes workers adapt to machines. Warns of an “architecture of visibility.”
The culture of power & the civilization of love
The hardest charge: “no algorithm can make war morally acceptable.” Argues even “just war” theory must now be overcome.
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Who was in the room — and who should have been
Leo XIV presented the encyclical personally (popes usually delegate). Among the AI experts: Anthropic’s Chris Olah. The other frontier labs? Empty chairs. Tap each seat.
The presentation · May 25, 2026
A defensible single invite — or a diluted broadside? Press play, then judge.
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A broadside delivered to one delegate
The Washington Post read the encyclical as one that “fires a broadside against AI companies.” A reckoning aimed at an industry is weakened when one member — the most safety-branded one — is present to receive it.
The encyclical’s hardest charge is about AI and war — and it implicates the labs that weren’t there.
Its most uncompromising passages condemn AI-enabled weapons and the lowering of the threshold for violence. But that lands hardest on the defense-entangled players and the leaders most explicit about military & geopolitical ambitions — not the lab that showed up.
Account vs. anoint
One sympathetic guest tilts it from “the Church holding the industry to account” toward “the Church beside its preferred firm.”
Concentration, again
A text whose deepest fear is power “determined by a few” launched by elevating one company as chosen interlocutor.
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Two things are true at once
The criticism is of the exclusivity, not the inclusion. Olah in the room was fitting; Anthropic alone was incomplete.
The most significant AI reckoning yet by a global moral institution
It grounds a critique of concentration, dehumanized work & algorithmic warfare in a tradition stretching back to 1891. Its core insight — technology carries its makers’ values — is exactly the right place to start.
A broadside should be delivered to the industry, not its most palatable face
The choice to present alongside Anthropic alone — defensible, probably well-intentioned — undercut the encyclical’s own insight about whose values get associated with the message.
A beginning, not an endpoint
The same month, Leo XIV approved an Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence — a standing body with room for many voices over time. If it brings the whole industry into uncomfortable dialogue, the narrow first launch reads as a first step, not a pattern.
Implications of the Vatican’s Engagement with AI Ethics
This event marks a rare instance of the Catholic Church directly addressing artificial intelligence’s societal risks, positioning itself as a moral authority in the technology debate. The inclusion of Anthropic highlights a preference for voices prioritizing safety and accountability, potentially influencing industry standards and public policy.
It signals a shift toward greater moral scrutiny of AI, emphasizing that technological development must align with human dignity and social justice—principles that could shape future regulations and corporate practices.
Historical and Contemporary AI Ethical Discourse
The Church’s engagement with technological upheavals dates back to Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum novarum, which responded to the Industrial Revolution. Today, AI is seen as a similar disruptive force, prompting moral and social questions. Recent debates have centered on AI safety, bias, and concentration of power, with industry leaders and policymakers increasingly under scrutiny.
The Vatican’s decision to issue an encyclical focused on AI reflects the growing recognition of the technology’s societal influence and the need for ethical oversight, echoing past concerns during industrialization but adapted to the digital age.
“Technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it.”
— Pope Leo XIV
Unclear Impact of the Vatican’s Engagement on Industry
It remains uncertain how the Church’s moral stance will influence AI industry practices or regulation. The specific effects of the encyclical on corporate behavior, policy changes, or public discourse are still developing and may take years to materialize.
Additionally, the significance of Anthropic’s presence at the event in shaping future collaborations or standards is not yet clear.
Future Dialogues and Regulatory Developments in AI
Expect ongoing discussions between the Vatican, industry leaders, and policymakers on AI ethics. The encyclical could serve as a moral reference point in upcoming regulatory debates and corporate responsibility initiatives. Further engagement with AI safety organizations and religious institutions is likely to follow, shaping the moral framework for AI’s societal integration.
Key Questions
Why did Pope Leo XIV choose to personally present the encyclical?
The Pope’s personal presentation emphasizes the importance and urgency of addressing AI’s societal and moral issues directly, signaling a high level of engagement from the Vatican.
What role did Anthropic play in the Vatican event?
Anthropic’s co-founder, Chris Olah, was present in the audience, representing a focus on AI safety, interpretability, and accountability—values aligned with the encyclical’s themes.
How might the encyclical influence AI development and regulation?
While the direct impact remains uncertain, the document could shape future policies, corporate practices, and ethical standards by framing AI as a moral issue rooted in human dignity and social justice.
Does this mean the Church will regulate AI?
The encyclical does not establish regulatory authority but positions the Church as a moral voice advocating for responsible AI development aligned with ethical principles.
What is the significance of the focus on ’empty chairs’ in the title?
The ’empty chairs’ symbolize the absence of certain industry voices or stakeholders who may not be aligned with the moral concerns raised, highlighting questions about inclusivity and influence in AI ethics discussions.
Source: ThorstenMeyerAI.com
