Pope Leo XIV will create a commission on artificial intelligence.
elchi reports that this step coincides with the eve of the first encyclical or pastoral letter in which Pope Leo is expected to prioritize an ethical approach to artificial intelligence.
On Saturday, the Vatican announced that the pontiff decided to establish the commission due to the increasing use of artificial intelligence, its potential impact on individuals and humanity as a whole, and the Church’s concern for the dignity of every human being.
The announcement came a day after Pope Leo signed his encyclical – a letter written by the pontiff and sent to bishops with instructions or guidance on moral issues.
In his new encyclical, which will be published in the coming weeks, he is expected to address the issue of artificial intelligence within the framework of the church’s social teaching, which also covers topics such as labor, justice, and peace.
This is not the first time Pope Leo has discussed the issue of artificial intelligence. A few days after his election in May 2025, he told the cardinals that the Catholic Church must offer the world the treasure of its social teaching to address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence to human dignity, justice, and work.
Last June, the Pope criticized the potential negative consequences of the rise in the use of artificial intelligence. While noting the potential for good in artificial intelligence, the Pope said it could be “abused for selfish gain and used to fuel conflict and aggression”:
“I am sure that we are all concerned about children and young people and the potential consequences of the use of artificial intelligence on their intellectual and neurological development. Our youth should be supported, not hindered, on their path toward maturity and true responsibility,” the head of the Catholic Church said.
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