Keeping up with the times: Pope Leo XIV establishes a commission on artificial intelligence
18 May 04:09
Pope Leo XIV will establish a commission on artificial intelligence—a new Vatican body tasked with coordinating the Catholic Church’s efforts regarding AI. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing Politico.
This move comes ahead of Pope Leo’s first encyclical, or pastoral letter, which is expected to prioritize an ethical approach to artificial intelligence.
On Saturday, the Vatican announced that the pontiff had decided to establish the commission due to the growing use of artificial intelligence, “its potential impact on people and humanity as a whole, and the Church’s concern for the dignity of every human person.”
The announcement came the day after Pope Leo signed his encyclical—a letter composed by the pontiff and sent to bishops with instructions or guidance on moral issues.
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His new encyclical, expected to be released in the coming weeks, is expected to address the issue of artificial intelligence within the framework of the Church’s social teaching, which also covers issues such as labor, justice, and peace.
This is not the first time Pope Leo has weighed in on the issue of artificial intelligence. Just a few days after his election in May 2025, he told the cardinals that the Catholic Church has to offer the world “the treasure of its social teaching” to address the challenges posed by AI regarding “human dignity, justice, and work.”
Last June, the Pope criticized the potential negative consequences of the growing use of artificial intelligence. While noting AI’s potential for good, the pontiff stated that there is a risk of its “abuse for selfish gain” and as a means of “stoking conflict and aggression.”
“I am certain that we are all concerned about children and young people, as well as the possible consequences of the use of artificial intelligence for their intellectual and neurological development. Our youth need to be helped, not hindered, on their path to maturity and true responsibility,” said the head of the Catholic Church.
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