The Vatican has formally intensified its involvement in artificial intelligence governance after Pope Leo XIV approved the creation of a special Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence. The new body is designed to coordinate the Catholic Church’s response to the rapid rise of AI technologies and their impact on humanity, ethics, labor, communication, and global society. Vatican officials said the initiative reflects growing concern about how AI could influence human dignity, social justice, and authentic human relationships.
The commission will unite representatives from several major Vatican institutions, including departments focused on doctrine, culture, communication, science, education, and social development. According to the Vatican, the group will help guide policies related to AI use inside the Holy See while also encouraging broader global dialogue on responsible technology development. Pope Leo reportedly approved the initiative earlier this month following meetings with Cardinal Michael Czerny, who will oversee coordination during the commission’s first year.
Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of the defining themes of Pope Leo XIV’s early papacy. The Pope has repeatedly described AI as a major “anthropological challenge” and warned about risks involving misinformation, deepfakes, surveillance, autonomous weapons, and the weakening of genuine human interaction. Vatican observers expect his first encyclical to focus heavily on AI ethics, drawing parallels between today’s technological revolution and the Industrial Revolution that inspired Pope Leo XIII’s landmark social teachings in the 19th century.
The Vatican’s growing focus on AI also reflects a broader effort to position the Church as a moral voice in global technology debates. Over the past few years, the Holy See has promoted initiatives such as the Rome Call for AI Ethics and released documents emphasizing “human-centered” AI development. Rather than opposing technology itself, Pope Leo appears to be pushing for systems that strengthen humanity rather than reduce people to data, algorithms, or automated consumers. Analysts say the new commission signals that the Vatican intends to play an increasingly active role in shaping the ethical future of artificial intelligence worldwide.
