Pope Leo XIV’s First Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, on Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.

In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV underlines a deep understanding of our magnificent humanity in the face of the challenges and successes of artificial intelligence.

This encyclical was poignantly signed on the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's seminal encyclical in response to the upheaval of rapid industrialization, Rerum Novarum. Like his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV provides a response to the social, moral, and theological questions raised by the technological advances of our day.

Ascension’s edition of Magnifica Humanitas features:

The full official text of this work written by Pope Leo XIV
A foreword written by Arthur C. Brooks, PhD.
An afterword written by Fr. Mike Schmitz
Carefully designed pages to make each page readable, organized, and inviting

SKU: 9798892762892
Binding: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Dimensions: 6" x 9"
Weight: 0.04 lb
Language: English
Publisher: Ascension Press
Publication Date: May 25, 2026
Copyright Year: 2026

Author

Pope Leo XIV

On May 8th, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., of the United States and Peru, was elected the 267th pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Papal Encyclical?

An encyclical is a formal teaching document in which the pope, as successor of St. Peter, offers teaching on matters of faith and morals in response to the questions of the present moment.

What is the significance of its signing date?

The signing date, May 15, 2026, is the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s landmark social encyclical Rerum Novarum (“Of New Things”), published on May 15, 1891.

Why is it called Magnifica Humanitas?

The title is Latin for “magnificent humanity.”

What precedent exists for popes to address technological issues in encyclicals, messages, and other official teachings?

It is common for popes to address the social, moral, and theological dimensions of new technologies. Pope Pius XII’s Miranda Prorsus (1957) addressed film, radio, and television; Pope St. John Paul II described the opportunities that came with the internet as “a new forum for proclaiming the Gospel” (2002); Pope Benedict XVI taught in Caritas in Veritate (2009) that technology is an expression of human freedom that must be governed by charity and truth; and Pope Francis addressed artificial intelligence directly in his 2024 messages on peace and communication.