Published on 25 May, Magnifica Humanitas seeks to  help us understand how to navigate the ongoing digital transition, drawing from the Church’s treasury of wisdom the tools necessary to interpret the present moment, with a view to fulfilling our shared task of safeguarding and nurturing the magnificent humanity that has been given to us as a gift.

The Encyclical message builds from Pope Francis’ message for the 2024 World Day of Peace which talks to the issue of artificial intelligence within the context of human dignity, peace and the common good.

Pope Leo XIV develops this approach, adopting a decisive criterion: technology must not be judged solely based on its effectiveness, but rather on the human, social and spiritual quality of the bonds it fosters or hinders.

Read the Vatican’s summary of the Encyclical Letter here.

What is an Encyclical letter?

A papal encyclical is a pastoral letter written by the Pope. Primarily addressed to Catholic bishops but also to the faithful and broader public, it provides guidance on matters of doctrine, morals or contemporary social issues. The term “encyclical” originates from the Latin and Greek words for “general” or “circulating”.