Pope Leo Calls for Humanity in Age of AI

Pope Leo XIV has released his first major papal document, 'Magnifica Humanitas,' a sweeping manifesto calling for the protection of human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. The document warns against the unchecked development of AI, particularly in military applications, and urges global leaders to prioritize human values over technological acceleration. 'We must ensure that the machine serves the person, not the person the machine,' the Pope writes, framing AI ethics as a fundamental human rights issue. The document calls for international treaties to ban autonomous weapons and for tech companies to adopt 'profoundly human' design principles. This intervention from one of the world's most influential moral voices marks a significant moment in the global debate over AI governance, adding religious and ethical weight to calls for regulation. The Pope's message resonates beyond the Catholic Church, appealing to all people of goodwill to consider the societal implications of handing over decision-making to algorithms. 'Magnifica Humanitas' is being compared to landmark encyclicals on social justice and technology, positioning AI as the defining moral challenge of the 21st century.