Pope Leo encyclical warns AI fueling conflict, urges world to ‘slow down’

Pope Leo XIV called for stronger regulation and a slower pace of AI advances in a landmark theological document released Monday, warning the technology was fueling and normalizing conflict around the world.

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In a sweeping and eagerly anticipated manifesto on the subject, Leo warned that AI should not be “concentrated in the hands of only a few people” and that “a more moral AI is not enough if that morality is determined by a few.”

He was writing in his first encyclical, a key text outlining the pope’s view on global affairs, titled “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity). It was released alongside Christopher Olah, one of the co-founders of the AI giant Anthropic.

That poses another potential flashpoint between the Vatican and President Donald Trump, whose administration ordered all agencies to stop using Anthropic after the company refused the U.S. military unrestricted access to its technology.

“Calling for prudence, rigorous evaluation and even, at times, a slower pace in adopting AI does not mean opposing progress,” the pope said in the document. “Instead, it is an exercise of responsible care for the human family.”

Its release comes after history’s first U.S.-born pope faced public attacks from Trump following his criticism of the Iran war.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.