Magnifica humanitas

Tuesday 26th May 2026

Marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum, Pope Leo XIV releases his first encyclical, entitled ‘Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.’ He appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace.

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical letter offers powerful insights into the protection of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence, recognising a profound epochal shift. It places the dignity of the human person at the centre as the criteria for guiding technical progress. The Church’s social teaching accompanies these transformations, pointing to the common good, solidarity and subsidiarity as the fundamental benchmarks for understanding and interpreting the transformation currently underway. It proposes, as an alternative to the culture of power and war, a civilisation of love founded on justice, dialogue and shared responsibility.

You can read the full encyclical here

The Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales have produced a number of helpful overviews and resources. All of which can be found here.

Vatican News have also produced this short video.