The Catholic Church and AI: Pope Leo's First Encyclical Explained

The Catholic Church and AI: Pope Leo's First Encyclical Explained

From Godsplaining by Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph

May 25, 2026 · 27 min · Episode 46

About this episode

Fr. Patrick discusses Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on artificial intelligence and its implications for human dignity and spirituality.

The Catholic Church and AI: Pope Leo's First Encyclical Explained In this installment of Godsplaining Reacts, Fr. Patrick unpacks Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, an in-depth reflection on artificial intelligence, technology, truth, work, power, and the dignity of the human person. More than merely “the AI encyclical,” Fr. Patrick argues that Magnifica Humanitas is fundamentally about anthropology: who are we and what are we for? Drawing from Scripture, Catholic social teaching, and the Christian understanding of transcendence, Fr. Patrick sheds light on the Church’s engagement with technology, from the Vatican’s Minerva Dialogues to recent teachings on AI ethics and digital life. As it turns out, the most serious challenge with AI is not technological, but spiritual. What questions do you have regarding Magnifica Humanitas? Let us know in the comments for a chance to have your questions answered in the next installment of Godsplaining Reacts. Join us at the 2026 All Comers' Retreat in June: https://godsplaining.org/all-comers-retreat-june-2026/ Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel…

People in this episode

Host: Fr. Patrick

Topics covered

  • artificial intelligence
  • Catholic social teaching
  • technology ethics
  • human dignity
  • anthropology
  • spiritual challenges

Keywords

  • AI
  • Pope Leo XIV
  • Magnifica Humanitas
  • Catholic Church
  • technology
  • human dignity
  • spirituality
  • anthropology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Catholic Church, Vatican

Books & works: Magnifica Humanitas

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