Pope Leo XIV is expected to sign his first encyclical focusing on the role of artificial intelligence in the church and the lives of the faithful.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to sign his first encyclical as he begins his second year as leader of the Catholic faith. Indications from the Vatican suggest the letter will focus on the role of artificial intelligence in the church and the lives of the faithful.
An encyclical is a letter outlining the church's position on doctrine, morality, or social issues. While it does not carry the weight of infallible dogma — a truth obtained through divine intervention in the Catholic faith — it is considered a significant message within the church. Pope Leo has spoken frequently about artificial intelligence during his first year leading the church.
TIME included him on its 2025 list of the most influential people in AI, calling the pope a top thinker and"spiritual counterweight" to the emerging technology. Dr. Andrew Chesnut, Professor and Bishop Walter Sullivan Chair of Catholic Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, said the timing is notable.
"This is a centuries old institution. Right after we see the advent of chatbots and ChatGPT and such, just a couple years later, he's going to be weighing in with a major encyclical is really impressive. I think it's very fitting that an American pope is weighing in on what has mostly been American innovative technology," Chesnut said.
Leo has urged priests to resist"the temptation to prepare homilies" with AI and not to use the technology to gain"likes" on social media. Speaking to the National Catholic Youth Conference in November 2025, he issued a warning to students.
"Be prudent, be wise, be careful that your use of AI does not limit your true human growth. Use it in such a way that if it disappeared tomorrow you would still know how to think, how to create, how to act on your own," Pope Leo XIV said.
RELATED STORY | Palestinian students from Gaza meet Pope Leo XIV at historic university visit The pope has often said the mission of the church is a"human" one, based in faith and belief — things he says cannot be found online. He has expressed concern that AI is becoming less of a tool and more of a main character in the lives of millions, regardless of their faith.
Leo follows in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who was instrumental in the creation of formal AI guidelines and monitoring structures at the Vatican, including a 13-page policy that states in part that technological innovation cannot and should never overtake or replace human beings and that AI should serve humanity, and support and respect human dignity and foster well-being and progress, without compromising ethical and social principles. The Vatican is expected to release a written copy of the encyclical in the next few weeks.
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will travel to meet Pope Leo: mayor's officeJohnson about to mark 3 years in office, reflects on time as mayor
Read more »
Pope Leo XIV warns of AI and weaponry leading to global annihilationPope Leo XIV has denounced investments in AI and high-tech weaponry, warning they lead to a “spiral of annihilation.” He called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine during a visit to Rome’s La Sapienza University on Thursday. This marked the first papal visit to the campus since 2008.
Read more »
Pope Leo frames AI warfare as moral challenge in Rome speech: ‘Inhuman evolution’The pontiff’s warning came during a speech at Rome’s La Sapienza University, in which he called for expanded oversight over AI.
Read more »
Palestinian students from Gaza meet Pope Leo XIV at historic university visitPope Leo XIV meets Gaza students in Rome, praising Italy’s humanitarian corridor, and calls for peace amid wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and beyond.
Read more »