Pope Leo Condemns AI and Tech Giants, Apologizes for Slavery

Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical: A Bold Statement on Humanity, Technology, and Justice

In a groundbreaking 83-page encyclical titled Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), released on May 25, Pope Leo XIV has delivered one of the most significant and politically charged messages in recent papal history. The document addresses a wide range of global issues, including the Vatican’s historical role in slavery, the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, and the growing threat of economic inequality. This encyclical is seen as a defining ideological blueprint for the early years of Leo’s papacy.

An Apology for the Church’s Role in Slavery

One of the most impactful sections of the encyclical is Pope Leo’s apology for the Catholic Church’s direct involvement in legitimizing slavery. While previous popes have condemned the slave trade or apologized for Christian participation in colonial abuses, Leo became the first to explicitly acknowledge that the Holy See itself authorized and enabled slavery through papal decrees issued during the Age of Discovery. The encyclical references 15th-century papal bulls that granted European powers authority to conquer and enslave non-Christians across parts of Africa and the Americas.

Leo described slavery as “a wound in Christian memory” and called for forgiveness for the Church’s failures. He emphasized that the delay in denouncing slavery was a significant moral failure, stating, “This constitutes a wound in Christian memory, one from which we cannot consider ourselves detached.” This apology has drawn global attention, with many praising it as a historic step forward. However, some activists and theologians argue that the Church must also address reparative justice and deeper institutional accountability.

Addressing Artificial Intelligence and Technological Power

Beyond the apology for slavery, the encyclical focuses heavily on artificial intelligence and the growing influence of technology companies. Pope Leo warns that AI systems are concentrating enormous economic and political power in the hands of a few corporations, risking the erosion of democracy, truth, and human dignity. He criticizes the use of AI in warfare, misinformation campaigns, and labor displacement, arguing that technological development must be accompanied by ethical responsibility.

Leo also warns against autonomous weapons systems operating beyond meaningful human control, calling for international regulation and political oversight before AI becomes too deeply embedded in military and economic systems. He stated, “No algorithm can make war morally acceptable.” Additionally, he critiques widening economic inequality and the moral failures of modern capitalism, emphasizing that economic systems often prioritize profit over human dignity while neglecting vulnerable communities, workers, and migrants.

Defending the Vulnerable: Migration and Social Justice

Migration and refugees are central themes in the encyclical. Pope Leo defends migrants as individuals deserving dignity and protection rather than being treated as political scapegoats. He warns against governments and movements that view refugees primarily as threats and emphasizes the moral obligations of wealthy countries toward displaced populations. His comments could intensify tensions with nationalist political movements in Europe and North America, especially amid polarized debates about immigration and border policies.

As a former missionary in Peru, Leo has consistently prioritized migration and poverty throughout his early papacy. Vatican observers note that his stance on these issues may further challenge existing political narratives around exclusion and fear.

A New Direction for the Papacy

The release of Magnifica Humanitas marks a clear indication of how Pope Leo intends to shape his papacy. As the first American-born pope, he has quickly positioned the Vatican as a major moral voice in discussions about artificial intelligence, inequality, labor, and technological power. Earlier this month, Leo established a Vatican study group focused on AI governance and ethics ahead of the encyclical’s release.

The document’s title — translated as “Magnificent Humanity” — reflects Leo’s argument that technology and economic systems must ultimately serve human dignity rather than dominate it. It is no coincidence that Pope Leo invited multiple AI leaders, including Christopher Olah, co-founder of US AI giant Anthropic, to be present for the reading.