The newest papal encyclical and the oldest Christian theologians turn out to be reading from the same page. Something is striking about watching the Catholic Church respond to artificial intelligence. While many respond with either uncritical enthusiasm for new technology or anxious warnings about its pitfalls, Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (”On the Safeguarding... Continue Reading →
The Machine and the Soul: What Two Catholic Thinkers Can Teach Us About Pope Leo XIV’s Message on AI
A reflection on Magnifica Humanitas through the eyes of Mortimer Adler and Thomas Merton On 25 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV released Magnifica Humanitas — a papal encyclical addressing artificial intelligence and what it means to be human. It takes a clear moral stand: human beings possess a dignity no machine can replicate, and no algorithm can... Continue Reading →
Strange, Delightful, and Slightly Unnerving: Why Both Ezra Klein and Pope Leo XIV Warn That AI Challenges Human Values
Two thoughtful voices from different worlds—a liberal New York Times podcaster and a newly elected pope—arrive at a strikingly similar warning: artificial intelligence poses a profound challenge to human values. Their paths to this conclusion differ, but both detect an unsettling risk at the heart of AI’s rise. The Podcaster Who Can’t Figure Out His... Continue Reading →
Magnifica Humanitas: Today, the Church Speaks to the Age of AI
Today, 15 May 2026 — the 135th anniversary of Rerum Novarum — Pope Leo XIV is expected to sign his first encyclical. Provisionally titled Magnifica Humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity”), the document is reported to address artificial intelligence, international peace, and what Vatican sources describe as a deepening crisis in international law. If the date holds, it will be one of... Continue Reading →
When the World Changes Underneath Us: Leading for the Common Good in a Time of Political/Technological Upheaval
Historians call moments like ours a phase change—a term from physics that describes when water doesn't just get hotter but becomes something else entirely: steam, ice, a new state. We are living through a societal phase change right now—a fundamental reshaping of how we work, relate, make decisions, raise children, find community, and understand ourselves. This shift is driven... Continue Reading →
Why are Catholic social teachings and the encyclicals important as they relate to artificial intelligence and emerging technology?
Q: Why are Catholic social teachings and the encyclicals important as they relate to artificial intelligence and emerging technology? A: They provide a moral framework and ethical guidelines to address the greater good. Documents such as encyclicals, Vatican II documents, and writings of theologians emphasize the importance of responsible AI use, guiding policymakers, companies, and... Continue Reading →
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