Pope Leo XIV's AI Encyclical: Can Holy Father Influence Regulations?
Pope Leo XIV is set to deliver an encyclical about artificial intelligence (AI) on Monday, wading into a major debate about how governments should regulate the rapidly advancing technology with implications for nearly all aspects of society and daily life.
The pope’s encyclical on AI comes at a moment when governments worldwide are scrambling to write rules for it. While the Vatican has no formal role in policymaking, past papal teachings have shaped global debates on climate, migration and human rights. The pontiff’s moral framing could influence how lawmakers view AI.
But any calls for more stringent regulation will likely be met with resistance from the influential technology industry that has pushed for more lax laws on AI. This could become the first major test for Pope Leo's soft power and influence just over one year after his selection.
In the United States, President Donald Trump's administration has embraced AI and pursued policies aimed at promoting U.S. business interests, seeking to limit states' abilities to implement independent AI regulation.
What Is Pope Leo XIV's First Encyclical?
Pope Leo's first encyclical letter titled Magnifica humanitas is set to be published on Monday, May 25, and is expected to focus on the safeguarding of humans in the era of AI growth, according to the Vatican.
The pope is "signaling to the world the enormity of this moment in human history," Robert Orsi, professor of history at Northwestern University, told Newsweek on Friday.
"He is signaling to the world, governments, NGOs and human beings on the planet-he's signaling just the way Pope Francis wanted to signal the enormity of the climate crisis-by making this his first encyclical is signaling the enormity of this moment," he said. "The arrival of AI demands careful reflection on the parts of human beings on the planet, and that is what he is going to tell people."
Orsi drew a parallel between Pope Leo XIII, whom Pope Leo XIV named himself after, who issued his first encyclical Rerum novarum about the dignity of the working class in the face of the industrial revolution.
Pope Leo is likely to discuss "the irreplaceability of the human," he added.
Pope Leo's Focus on AI
Pope Leo has made AI a focus of his pontificate, issuing a warning about the technology in remarks on Friday.
"As sadly evidenced by the unbridled promotion and implementation of technology at the expense of human dignity and the damage caused when chatbots and other technologies exploit our need for human relationships, we are truly experiencing an eclipse of the sense of what it means to be human," he said.
He added it is "imperative to recover an understanding of the true meaning and grandeur of humanity as intended by God."
The pope has frequently discussed AI and its impact on humanity over the past year. In May 2025, he said he believes AI has "immense potential" for the good of humanity but warned it could also pose “new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor."
How to best regulate AI is a central question governments across the globe are facing.
Supporters of AI argue regulation could stifle innovation and growth that could benefit humanity in terms of scientific and medical advancements. But many others have pushed for more strict regulations, arguing AI poses significant threats to human health, the environment and could result in millions of people losing jobs to automation.
What Is the Purpose of an Encyclical?
An encyclical is a formal letter written by the pope with instructions for Catholic followers. They are meant to draw attention to a doctrinal issue and provide guidance of how to discuss the situation or issue, according to the Diocese of Orlando. They are meant to guide bishops and Catholic leaders.
Encyclicals have covered topics ranging from climate change, nuclear peace and rights of workers in the past.
Can Pope Leo Influence AI Regulation?
The pope does not have governing authority, so nothing he says will be truly binding. But he does practice soft power, wielding significant influence over the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.
His encyclical could "give pause to countries contemplating AI or industries rushing to use AI," Orsi said. The pope's influence is more so "moral" and will shape how Catholics view AI, but it's less clear that he will have a direct impact on governments, he said.
"Its influence will be in terms of moral guidance and to call attention to some of the dangers that humans are facing from AI, particularly the potential loss of human dignity," he added.
Why Trump Paused Executive Order on AI
Trump on Thursday called off plans to sign a new executive order on AI over concerns about its impact on the U.S.'s edge on AI technology.
"We're leading China, we're leading everybody, and I don't want to do anything that's going to get in the way of that lead," Trump told reporters.
The order would have established a framework for the federal government to vet the national security risks of AI systems before their release, the Associated Press reported, citing a person familiar with deliberations. It was characterized as a voluntary collaboration with U.S.-based tech companies like OpenAI, Anthropic and Google.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 1:23 PM.