The international Catholic movement Focolare has welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas as a powerful call to ensure that artificial intelligence serves humanity rather than undermines it. The document, presented at the Vatican on the 135th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, frames AI as one of the defining moral and social challenges of the modern era. Pope Leo emphasized that technological progress must always remain connected to human dignity, justice, peace, and responsibility.
During the Vatican presentation, Pope Leo warned that AI “needs to be disarmed” in the same way the Church has historically advocated for nuclear disarmament. He argued that AI systems should never weaken human conscience, critical thinking, or moral accountability. The encyclical also rejects the idea of “just war” in relation to autonomous weapons and calls for strict ethical limits on the use of AI in warfare. Church leaders and theologians described the document as a continuation of Catholic social teaching adapted to the digital age.
Focolare highlighted the encyclical’s broader message that technology itself is not inherently evil, but becomes dangerous when power, data, and digital infrastructure are concentrated in the hands of a few corporations or governments. The movement stressed the importance of dialogue between scientists, religious communities, policymakers, and civil society to guide AI development toward the common good. The Vatican presentation notably included participation from AI industry figures such as Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah, reflecting the Church’s effort to engage directly with technology leaders.
The discussion surrounding Magnifica Humanitas comes as governments, businesses, and global organizations increasingly debate how AI should shape the future of society. Events such as the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and global ethics discussions at the World Economic Forum have similarly emphasized the need for human-centered AI systems that promote inclusion, transparency, and shared responsibility. Focolare’s response reflects a growing international movement arguing that AI should not merely optimize efficiency or profit, but help strengthen humanity, solidarity, and peace in an increasingly automated world.
