In a world captivated by technological advances, Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical seeks to shift attention away from the marvels and terrors of AI and toward the magnificence of humanity. The message that the technology lacks a “moral conscience” and is distinct from human cognition is necessary and welcome.

WASHINGTON, DC—Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on AI, has accelerated the debate on the fundamental nature of the technology. Could AI have a conscience? How does it think? What does its rapid advance portend?