VATICAN CITY: The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV has established a study group dedicated to exploring artificial intelligence.

This development comes as the Pope prepares to publish his first encyclical, which is anticipated to highlight the importance of adopting an ethic-based approach to AI that prioritizes human dignity and peace.

The Vatican stated that the creation of this in-house study group stems from the rapid advancement of AI technology and its potential impact on humanity.

The Church's primary concern is maintaining the dignity of every individual within society.

This significant move by Pope Leo XIV has historical significance, coming 135 years after his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, released his influential encyclical "Rerum Novarum" in response to the Industrial Revolution.

That document addressed critical issues like workers' rights and the challenges posed by capitalism.

The current Pope has already referenced this foundational text in relation to the AI revolution, drawing parallels between the existential questions raised by both revolutions.

The upcoming encyclical is expected to address AI within the context of the Church's social teachings, which encompass labor, justice, and peace.

Meghan Sullivan, a philosophy professor at the University of Notre Dame who directs its ethics institute, believes that the Catholic Church will play a crucial role in guiding society's integration of AI.

Pope Leo XIV's commitment to addressing AI's challenges has been evident since his election.

He acknowledged the responsibility of the Church to offer its wealth of social teachings to tackle issues related to human dignity, justice, and labor posed by AI.

This upcoming encyclical is likely to create tension with the Trump administration, which views AI development as a vital national economic and security strategy.

The Vatican's engagement in the AI debate has been ongoing since the launch of ChatGPT.

The rapid advancements in AI have raised concerns about its potential risks, including misuse in warfare and algorithms that perpetuate social inequality.

In response, the UN adopted new governance architecture to regulate AI use, while the EU implemented its own Artificial Intelligence Act.

The Vatican has issued guidelines for responsible AI application across various sectors and has criticized the environmental impact of AI development.

Thomas Harmon, a theology professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, highlights the significance of the Catholic Church's influence due to its vast global presence and rich tradition of philosophical thought on human nature.

The Vatican previously collaborated with tech companies to establish the Rome Call for AI Ethics, emphasizing principles such as inclusiveness, accountability, impartiality, and privacy.

Pope Francis has called for an international treaty to regulate AI, citing the risks of technology lacking human values.

He also addressed the G7 on ensuring AI remains human-centric, advocating a ban on lethal autonomous weapons.

Pope Leo XIV's interest in AI extends beyond its potential impact on society; he has cautioned against using AI to write homilies for priests and expressed concern over its ability to misinform through deepfake imagery.

In June 2025, the Pope acknowledged AI's contributions while questioning its effects on humanity's pursuit of truth and reality.

The Pope's emphasis on peace is reflected in his calls for monitoring AI use in warfare, particularly in regions such as Ukraine and the Middle East.

He has criticized the increasing integration of automated weapons systems into conflicts, warning against a cycle of destruction.