Pope creates artificial intelligence study group as Vatican prepares to release his first encyclical
Source: AP
Updated 7:49 AM EDT, May 16, 2026
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has created a study group on artificial intelligence, the Vatican said Saturday, as he gears up to release his first encyclical that is expected to emphasize the need for an ethics-based approach to the technology that prioritizes human dignity and peace.
The Vatican said Leo had decided to create the in-house study group because of the acceleration in AI’s use, “its potential effects on human beings and on humanity as a whole (and) the church’s concern for the dignity of every human being.”
The announcement came a day after Leo signed his encyclical, 135 years to the day after his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, dated his most important encyclical, “Rerum Novarum,” or Of New Things. That document addressed workers’ rights, the limits of capitalism, and the obligations that states and employers owed workers as the Industrial Revolution was underway.
It became the foundation of modern Catholic social thought, and the current pope has already cited it in relation to the AI revolution, which he believes poses the same existential questions that the Industrial Revolution posed over a century ago. The new encyclical is expected to place the AI question in the context of the church’s social teaching, which also covers issues such as labor, justice and peace.
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typically concerning matters of doctrine, morals, or discipline. The term comes from the Greek word meaning "circular," reflecting its original use as a letter sent to all churches in a particular area.
Encyclopedia Britannica Wikipedia
Definition of an Encyclical
An encyclical is a pastoral letter written by the pope for the entire Roman Catholic Church. It typically addresses issues related to doctrine, morals, or discipline. The term "encyclical" derives from the Greek word meaning "circular," which reflects its historical use as a letter sent to all churches in a specific area.
Purpose and Audience
Key Characteristics
Addressed to the Church: Encyclicals are usually directed at bishops but can also be intended for the entire Catholic community.
Topics Covered: They often discuss significant moral or doctrinal issues, guiding the faithful on various matters.
Notable Examples
Encyclical Title - Pope - Year - Focus Area
Rerum novarum - Leo XIII - 1891 - Social justice and workers' rights
Humanae vitae - Paul VI - 1968 - Birth control and family life
Laudato si’ - Francis - 2015 - Environmental stewardship
Historical Context
The first encyclical, titled Ubi primum, was issued by Pope Benedict XIV in 1740. Since then, encyclicals have become a vital means for popes to communicate teachings and address contemporary issues within the Church.
