Pope Leo XIV recently issued his first encyclical – and it may be the most important church document in our lifetime. called Magnifica Humanitas, It involves artificial intelligence, human dignity, baby phones, autonomous weapons, doomscrolling, the mystery of the human soul, and how no machine can ever give the last word on what it means to be a person made in the image of God.
The full document is available to download here – and is well worth a read. But to get a quick idea of what’s inside, here are 15 powerful quotes from the encyclopedia:
“Humanity has never had so much power over itself.” (Para 4)
“In practice, however, technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who prepare, finance, regulate and use it. Therefore, the primary choice is not between ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to technology, but between the building of Babel or the rebuilding of Jerusalem; between a power that claims to dominate the heavens and a people that seek to rebuild the walls of brotherly coexistence. Let us work together in the presence of God.” (Para. 9)
“In the age of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, we have a duty to remain deeply human. We must lovingly guard the greatness of humanity that has been given to us and is revealed in its fullness in Jesus Christ, whose glory no machine can ever replace.” (Para. 15)
“Thus, the ‘rejected stones’ – the poor, the sick, the sojourner and the least among us – will become the cornerstone, and a solid, welcoming common home will emerge on earth, where love and faith will finally meet, and righteousness and peace will embrace (cf. Ps. 85:10).” (Para.16)
“Human dignity does not depend on a person’s abilities, wealth, or position in life, nor on right or wrong choices made; instead, it is a gift that precedes and transcends each person, bestowed by God as an expression of his unfailing love.” (equals 50)
“Of these ideologies, I consider particularly insidious the ideology that suggests that each individual must earn or justify his or her own merits, to the extent of valuing those who are more efficient or effective.” (Para. 51)
“No sin, failure, disgrace, or exclusion can diminish the profound value of human life which God willed and called into existence.” (Para. 52)
“Solidarity demands that decisions related to data, algorithms, platforms and artificial intelligence take into account not only immediate benefits for some, but also the impact on all people and future generations.” (Para. 76)
“For an algorithm, an error is a flaw that must be corrected; however, for a person, an error can be a catalyst for profound change. A person’s future is not calculable, but depends on his freedom – elevated by God’s unfailing grace – and depends on relationships.” (Para. 128)
“Owning a personal mobile device at a very early age and using it without adult supervision can increase youths’ vulnerabilities, promote addiction, and expose them to isolation, bullying, and cyberbullying, as well as pressure to share intimate images or sensitive information.” (Para. 141)
“Even in the darkest nights, God raises up men and women who refuse to give up, who persist in doing good, who protect the vulnerable and open paths to reconciliation. The memory of the saints, the righteous, and the often forgotten peacemakers shows us that grace does not magically eliminate conflict, but instead it inspires active resistance to evil and astonishing creativity in doing good.” (Para 211)
“The civilization of love will arise not from a single or showy gesture, but from the sum of small and determined acts of loyalty that serve as a bulwark against dehumanization.” (Para 213)
“Let us disarm words and we will help disarm the world.” Words have immense power, which we experience in our daily interactions; For example, spoken words can change our mood for better or for worse.” (para. 214)
“No computational system, no matter how sophisticated, can create a heart that surrenders itself, or a conscience that distinguishes good from evil. Even as machines excel in efficiency, a human face that demands to be seen remains the center of our history. This human face is the perfection toward which history is moving.” (Para. 233)
“Let us be faithful to the truth! Living amidst a constant flow of information, opinions and images, we know how easy it can be to influence decisions and preferences through increasingly sophisticated algorithms. In this context, it is necessary to develop hearts that love the truth, prioritize what is right despite the most attractive content and pursue knowledge rather than immediate results.” (Para. 237)
