Pope Leo XIV to unveil AI-focused encyclical with Anthropic co-founder

When Pope Leo XIV signs an encyclical on artificial intelligence alongside the co-founder of Anthropic, it's not just a religious document — it's a geopolitical signal.

On May 25, the Vatican will formally launch *Magnifica Humanitas* (Magnificent Humanity), Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, in a ceremony that breaks with centuries of tradition. Rather than the usual quiet release in a Vatican press room, this document will be unveiled in the main Vatican auditorium with an all-star cast: doctrine chief Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, development chief Cardinal Michael Czerny, theologians Anna Rowlands and Leocadie Lushombo, and — most notably — Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic.

The Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will offer a conclusion, and the Pope himself will deliver a speech and final blessing.

## Why This Is Different

Encyclicals are the highest form of papal teaching, and they don't typically feature tech executives. The inclusion of Olah — whose company is currently suing the Trump administration — is no accident.

In February, the Trump administration ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's AI technology and imposed penalties after Anthropic refused to allow the U.S. military unrestricted access to its systems. Anthropic is now actively litigating against what it calls illegal retaliation.

Having Olah stand alongside the Pope sends a clear message: the Vatican is aligning itself with the AI safety movement, not the AI arms race.

## Echoes of the Industrial Revolution

Pope Leo XIV signed *Magnifica Humanitas* on May 15, exactly 135 years after his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, signed *Rerum Novarum* — the landmark 1891 encyclical that addressed workers' rights, the limits of capitalism, and the obligations of employers during the Industrial Revolution.

That document became the foundation of modern Catholic social teaching. Pope Leo XIV has explicitly invoked *Rerum Novarum* when discussing AI, arguing that artificial intelligence poses the same kind of existential questions about labor, dignity, and justice that the Industrial Revolution raised over a century ago.

The parallel is deliberate and the stakes are similar. Just as factory owners in 1891 argued that regulating working conditions would stifle progress, today's tech companies argue that constraining AI development cedes ground to geopolitical rivals. *Rerum Novarum* rejected that framing then. *Magnifica Humanitas* appears ready to reject it now.

## What the Encyclical Will Likely Address

While the full text won't be public until the launch, the Vatican has signaled several themes:

- **AI in warfare**: Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly expressed concern about autonomous weapons systems and the use of AI in military operations - **Human dignity**: The encyclical's title — "Magnificent Humanity" — suggests a focus on preserving human worth in a world where machines can increasingly replicate cognitive tasks - **Labor displacement**: Following *Rerum Novarum*'s framework, expect significant attention to how AI displaces workers and what obligations employers and governments have - **Safety vs. speed**: The Anthropic connection signals support for the "responsible AI" camp over the "move fast and deploy" approach

## The Political Flashpoint

This encyclical is going to create friction with the Trump administration — and that appears to be partly intentional. The Vatican is positioning AI safety as a moral issue, not merely a regulatory one. When the Pope says AI should respect human dignity, he's implicitly criticizing any government or company that treats AI safeguards as obstacles to national competitiveness.

For the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, this document will provide a moral framework for thinking about AI. For policymakers, it will offer cover to push for AI regulation on ethical grounds, not just economic ones. And for the tech industry, it draws a line: the Pope is effectively endorsing the companies that refuse to let their technology be used without safeguards.

## What This Means For You

This encyclical will shape how AI is debated for years to come. If you work in tech, expect stronger regulatory pushback justified on ethical grounds. If you're an investor, Anthropic's valuation ($380 billion and growing) just got a different kind of legitimacy — moral authority from one of the world's oldest institutions. And if you're a worker concerned about AI replacing your job, the Vatican just signaled it's paying attention.

*Magnifica Humanitas* won't stop AI development. But it may slow the rush to deploy it without guardrails — and that's exactly the point.