From questions about our faith to what we should eat for dinner, artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the world — even how people understand truth itself.
In his new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV reflects on AI, technology and the dignity of the human person through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching.
Below are some of the key questions many of us Catholics — and honestly, people in general — are asking right now.
Q: What is Magnifica Humanitas about?
Magnifica Humanitas is a Catholic encyclical focused on artificial intelligence, digital technology, human dignity and the future of society.
The document explores questions like:
- What does the Catholic Church say about AI?
- Is artificial intelligence dangerous?
- How should Christians think about technology?
- Can technological progress become harmful?
- What does it mean to remain human in the digital age?
The encyclical argues that technology itself is not evil, but that humanity must ensure technological progress serves the human person rather than replacing or diminishing human dignity.
Q: Does the Catholic Church support artificial intelligence?
Yes — but with important cautions.
The Catholic Church does not reject technology or scientific advancement. In fact, Pope Leo XIV acknowledges that technological progress has improved human life in many ways, including communication, education and medicine.
However, the Church warns that AI and digital technologies must always remain ordered toward the common good and the dignity of the human person.
The issue is not simply whether AI is powerful.
The issue is how it is used — and who it ultimately serves.
Q: Why is the Catholic Church concerned about AI?
The Church is concerned that artificial intelligence could contribute to forms of dehumanization if society begins valuing efficiency, productivity or profit over the dignity of the person.
The encyclical warns about several dangers, including:
- Reducing people to data or productivity
- Increasing inequality and concentration of power
- Manipulation through digital systems
- Loss of authentic human relationships
- Dependence on technology
- The weakening of truth and shared reality
The Pope especially warns against a “technocratic paradigm” where technology becomes an ideology rather than a tool.
Q: What does the encyclical mean by the “Tower of Babel”?
One of the central images in Magnifica Humanitas is the biblical story of the Tower of Babel.
In Genesis, humanity attempts to build a tower reaching heaven apart from God. The Pope uses this story as a symbol of technological pride and self-sufficiency.
According to the encyclical, modern society risks creating a new “Tower of Babel” when technology is pursued without humility, moral responsibility or concern for human dignity.
The danger is not technology itself.
The danger is humanity trying to build a future without God.
Q: What does the Catholic Church say about human dignity and AI?
The encyclical strongly emphasizes that every human person has inherent dignity because they are created in the image of God.
That dignity is not based on:
- Intelligence
- Productivity
- Efficiency
- Wealth
- Ability
- Technological enhancement
The Church rejects the idea that a person’s value must be earned or justified through performance.
This becomes especially important in conversations about automation, AI and the future of work.
Q: Does the Catholic Church believe technology can replace humans?
No.
The encyclical repeatedly insists that no machine can replace the fullness of the human person.
Technology may imitate certain human functions, but it cannot replicate:
-
- Love
- Moral conscience
- Free self-gift
- Spiritual life
- Communion with God
The Church teaches that human beings are not simply biological machines or systems of information. Humans are persons created for relationship, communion and eternal life.
Q: What does “remain profoundly human” mean?
One of the most quoted lines from the encyclical states:
“In the era of artificial intelligence… ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human.”
The phrase means Christians must protect the qualities that make us truly human, including:
-
- Compassion
- Wonder
- Responsibility
- Love
The Pope argues that true progress is not found in eliminating all weakness or limitation, but in growing in communion with God and others.
Q: What does the Catholic Church say about truth and AI?
The encyclical warns that digital systems and AI can shape public opinion, influence communication and distort the collective understanding of truth.
Because of this, the Church calls for:
- Responsible communication
- Ethical use of digital media
- Education and digital literacy
- Protection against manipulation
- Greater transparency and accountability
The document emphasizes that truth is a common good, not something to manipulate for power or profit.
Q: What does the Catholic Church teach about technology and the common good?
The Church teaches that technology should serve the common good rather than only benefiting powerful corporations or wealthy individuals.
The encyclical discusses concerns about:
- Concentrated technological power
- Economic inequality
- Access to digital resources
- Exploitation through technology
- Lack of accountability among major tech actors
The Pope argues that governments, institutions, communities and individuals all share responsibility for ensuring AI is developed ethically and justly.
Q: Is the Catholic Church anti-technology?
No.
The Catholic Church is not anti-technology. The Church supports scientific advancement and innovation when they genuinely promote human flourishing.
What the Church opposes is any system — technological, economic or political — that treats human beings as disposable, reduces people to utility or ignores moral responsibility.
Technology should help people become more fully human, not less.
Q: What is the main message of Magnifica Humanitas?
The central message of the encyclical is that humanity must not lose sight of the human person in the midst of technological progress.
Pope Leo XIV calls Christians not to become “architects of Babel,” but “builders of communion.”
The future of AI is not simply about innovation.
It is ultimately about what kind of humanity we choose to become.
Additional Resources
Learn more about Pope Leo in this guide.
Learn more about encyclicals, specifically Pope Francis’s:
A Summary of “Evangelii Gaudium: Joy of the Gospel”
13 Quotes From Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium
Learn more about how to use technology mindfully in this post, A Catholic Guide to Using Social Media.
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