13 Things To Know About Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical on AI

by Maria Wiering

(OSV News) – What does it mean to safeguard our humanity? That question is at the heart of Pope Leo XIV’s much anticipated first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” released May 25. The following are some key things to know about this weighty papal letter.

1. Latin for “Magnificent Humanity,” the title is drawn from the opening words of the text as rendered in Latin, as is customary for papal encyclicals. Those words state, in its English translation, “Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.” Throughout the encyclical, Pope Leo points to “the grandeur of humanity,” with men and women created by God for relationship with him and each other, cooperating in God’s creative work and guided by the Holy Spirit.

2. The document is about 42,000 words long, including footnotes, making it roughly the size of a novella. It spans five chapters sandwiched between a robust introduction and conclusion. The first chapter traces the development of Catholic social doctrine, or social teaching, especially since “Rerum Novarum,” Pope Leo XIII’s seminal 1891 encyclical on the dignity of labor. The second chapter dives into the substance of Catholic social teaching. The third chapter explores the challenges artificial intelligence presents to humanity; the fourth chapter hones in on safeguarding truth, work and freedom; and the fifth chapter focuses on the implications of AI in warfare.

3. From education and jobs to private tech companies and families, “Magnifica Humanitas” is wide-ranging. It touches on the prospect of massive unemployment, the future of education, the protection of human freedom, excessive screen time for young people and technology addiction, data ownership, cryptocurrencies, economic disparities, environmental impacts, transhumanism and posthumanism, and cyberattacks and other forms of warfare. Pope Leo addresses the idea of “moral AI,” and argues that the basis for “alignment of AI with human values” requires “openly discussing the ethical frameworks involved and subjecting them to shared standards of social justice” in a conversation inclusive to all communities.

4. The document includes references to an array of influential thinkers. Beyond Pope Leo’s papal predecessors, the letter points to or quotes Dorothy Day, Maria Montessori, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., J.R.R. Tolkien, Plato, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the American humanist thinker Hannah Arendt, among others. And, of course, Pope Leo weaves in St. Augustine, the patron of Pope Leo’s Augustinian religious order and Pope Leo’s ever-present guide, particularly through the African bishop’s important fifth-century book, “The City of God.”

5. It uses biblical imagery, imploring people to examine what humanity is building in “the construction site of our time.” The Tower of Babel and the City of God are contrasted throughout the encyclical to illustrate the two possible directions that the era of AI could take: a path of arrogance, artificial sense of self-sufficiency and chaos, or a path towards communion, relationship and God. Pope Leo underlines the critical need for developing a process for discernment to guide the development of AI. “The task of building today must place our relationship with God at its center,” Pope Leo writes.

6. Despite its challenges, AI is not to be inherently feared. “Technology should not be considered, in itself, as a force antagonistic to humanity,” he writes. “Over the centuries, technological development has significantly improved the living conditions of humanity. At the same time, each phase of progress has also revealed the ambiguity of tools that can cause harm when not oriented toward the good.” He speaks directly to AI developers, telling them that “technological innovation can represent human participation in the divine act of creation,” and therefore they “bear a particular ethical and spiritual responsibility, for every design choice reflects a vision of humanity.”

7. Taking time for discernment is critical in our path forward. The encyclical invites people of goodwill into “a shared discernment process for identifying the spiritual and cultural roots of ongoing transformations” as they relate to AI. “We are living through a rapid phase of transition, a ‘change of era,’ in which … most people are watching and waiting, observing from afar and merely hoping for the best,” Pope Leo writes. “For this very reason, crucial questions impose themselves on our conscience and can no longer be avoided: Where are we going? Toward what goal do we wish to orient ourselves? What direction should we choose as people and as a human community?”

8. It explains the principles of Catholic social teaching and why they are important in building a future where humanity flourishes. Pope Leo explains central tenets of Catholic social teaching – the dignity of the person, the common good, the universal destination of goods, subsidiarity, solidarity and justice – as he makes the case for their use as guiding principles for AI. “The Social Doctrine of the Church is a legacy of wisdom, where we find principles for thought, criteria for discernment and judgment, and concrete guidelines for action,” Pope Leo writes. “Founded on Sacred Scripture and Tradition, and in engagement with the sciences, it helps us clearly interpret the challenges of the present and identify appropriate ways for living out a clear Christian witness, with joy and in service to the world. It is not an inert set of concepts, but a living corpus of truth that safeguards and interprets humanity’s vocation to a full and just life.” As AI has exponentially advanced and become part of daily life, people of goodwill must “face the challenges of our time with clarity of thought and responsibility,” he writes.

9. People cannot be reduced to machines, measured for their efficiency and valued for their “optimization.” Artificial intelligence “threatens to normalize an anti-human vision,” Pope Leo writes. “In that vision, the fullness of life is equated with having more, reducing weakness, eliminating uncertainty and exerting total control. When efficiency becomes the ultimate measure of value, human beings are tempted to see themselves as a project to be optimized rather than as persons called to relationship and communion.” Instead, “the quality of a civilization,” he writes, “is measured not by the power of its means, but by the care it is able to offer, by its ability to recognize the other as a face not merely as a function.”

10. Robust ethical consideration should be given to AI’s impact on war. Pope Leo is particularly concerned that AI, “detached from ethics and responsibility, will render decisions about life and death more rapid and impersonal, and will present the use of force as an immediate and viable option.” In calling for the principles of Catholic social teaching to serve as decision-making guidelines, he condemns “the spread of a culture of power characterized by polarization and violence.” Instead, he calls humanity to “the civilization of love,” which is “no naïve utopia, but a demanding project, which consists in translating charity into structures of justice, giving institutional form to fraternity, and regarding others – whether individuals or peoples – as allies necessary for building the common good.” He also gives criteria for using AI in war.

11. “Magnifica Humanitas” is actually all about relationship. Throughout the encyclical, Pope Leo points to humanity’s relationship to God and relationship to each other. In this area, he underscores action over passivity, and urges people to work toward “a willed and chosen solidarity.” He writes, “This is the guiding principle for technological processes: it is not enough for artificial intelligence to make us more efficient or connected; it must also serve to build a universal human family, with shared rights and duties, where digital proximity becomes a real opportunity for encounter and mutual care.”

12. Whatever the future holds, humanity’s meaning is rooted in Jesus Christ. The document’s conclusion includes a compelling reflection on the Incarnation through the “face of the Son of God, the grandeur of humanity that shines a light also on the era of AI.” “No computational system, however sophisticated, can create a heart that gives itself, or a conscience that discerns good from evil. Even when machines excel in efficiency, a human face that asks to be gazed upon remains the center of our history,” Pope Leo writes. “This human face is the fullness toward which history is moving.”

13. The encyclical calls for personal conversion. The pope proposes for the Christian “a sober yet demanding program of Christian life with which we can navigate this epochal change in the light of the Gospel” centered on “contemplating God’s plan,” receiving the Eucharist, “building a world centered on the common good,” and praying in union with Mary. He encourages people to cultivate community and in-person relationships, educate young people to love wisdom, spend time with the poor and lonely, be a voice for justice, defend objective truth, and treat the digital world as “a new continent to be evangelized.” His final reflection centers on the “Magnificat,” Mary’s famous canticle glorifying God, recounted in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Pope Leo writes: “In the humble fidelity of daily life, even the era of AI can become a time in which the Holy Spirit brings about the civilization of love in our lives.”

St. Joan of Arc Raises a School Record $35,000 for Catholic Education in Queens

By Alexandra Moyen

JACKSON HEIGHTS — On May 22, students at St. Joan of Arc Catholic School poured out of the building and into the streets for their annual Walk for Education.

The cheer and the sneakers were familiar. The dollar figure was not.

This year, the event raised more than $35,000, a record high and over seven times last year’s total, according to Father Christopher Heanue, pastor of St. Joan of Arc.

“We’re spending a lot of effort and attention on the school,” Father Heanue said. “We value Catholic education here at St. Joan of Arc, and our parishioners do too.”

This year, the walk-a-thon included more than just the walk.

They set grade, class, and individual-level fundraising goals and enabled people to pledge donations online.

“The excitement was palpable,” Father Heanue said. “And look at it — it returned.”

Before the walk began, the school community honored Father Heanue, who arrived in 2025. Students circled around him as a teacher read an Irish blessing. They sang “You Are My Sunshine.”

Then, while on stage, a row of children held signs spelling out F-A-T-H-E-R H-E-A-N-U-E, each child reading aloud what their letter stood for — and what makes their pastor special to them.

“It’s an honor to be honored,” Father Heanue said. “I’m so happy to be in a parish — a dynamic parish — with a great school.”

Father Heanue has prioritized education since his installation on Sept. 28.

The “Installation Challenge” he created when he first arrived — a five-year giving commitment from vendors, donors, and family friends — has pulled in more than $160,000 for school scholarships, well past the $100,000 goal.

Principal Agnes Mosejczuk said Father Heanue had barely “unpacked his suitcase” in June before he was unloading ideas for the school.

“We work hard to improve our school each and every day, with a lot of energy and dreams, and now Father Heanue has come in and shared his support and his vision,” Mosejczuk said. “He encourages us to dream even bigger.

“Having his support allows us to reach high, and that is what we are doing.”

Father Heanue framed the fundraising surge as the fruit of a deliberate shift.

“We want to change culture at St. Joan of Arc,” he said. “We want everyone to be actively engaged and involved for the benefit of their parish, of their school.”

He included himself in the goal-setting. His personal target for the walk-a-thon was $1,000. He raised more than $2,000.

Mosejczuk, however, raised even more than her pastor — a detail Father Heanue volunteered with a grin.

Students also had a stake in the walka-thon. Whichever grade raised the most money would lead the procession through the streets. That honor went to the fourth grade, which raised about $3,500.

Elizabeth Rubio, a fourth grader, said the school coached each child on how to make donation requests — and she put the lesson to work by canvassing neighborhood businesses with her classmates.

“We made a lot of money. So that was really awesome because we all did the hard work,” Elizabeth said, adding that the school’s advice was helpful. “I entered the store, and I had my piece of paper so I would know what to say.”

The Walk for Education was also held in honor of the late Antoinette Balzano, a longtime school secretary, who organized the event for years.

“We miss her every single day,” Mosejczuk said. “This walk-a-thon was her baby. Every year, she put a lot of her energy into the fundraiser, so we continue her legacy.”

Father Heanue, like Balzano and Mosejczuk, sees the value of the fundraiser in investing in the school’s students.

“When you look at the excitement on these children’s faces, you see the future of our society, of our diocese, of our nation,” he said. “You see them with such potential — and the potential is discovered here. We treat our students with great love, great care, and affection. You can see that lived out here.”

Currents News Special: ‘Pulse of the Parish’

In the Diocese of Brooklyn, there is a new class of extraordinary parishioners whose faith, service, and compassion are strengthening Catholic communities across Brooklyn and Queens.

Meet dedicated Catholics who quietly and faithfully go above and beyond for their parishes, embodying the spirit of ministry by generously sharing their time, talent, and treasure.

Here are some of the parishioners you’ll meet:

Anthony Perrelli: A connection to St. Rita Church in Long Island City that spans generations has inspired Anthony to dedicate himself to serving his parish community. His commitment to giving back was deepened through personal tragedy, leading him to become a constant presence in parish life.

LaNell Schultheis: One Brooklyn teacher is helping newcomers find connection and belonging at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Bay Ridge. Through English-language instruction and outreach, LaNell is breaking down language barriers and fostering a welcoming parish community for people of all backgrounds.

Violet Chandler: Known as the “jack of all trades” at St. Peter Claver Church in Bedford Stuyvesant, Violet dedicates countless hours serving her parish and preserving the legacy of this historic church, which became the first predominantly black parish in the Diocese of Brooklyn in the 1920s.

St. Patrick Catholic Academy Eighth Graders Pass the Torch to Kindergartners in Brooklyn

By Currents News

The Class of 2026 at one Catholic school in Bay Ridge is helping prepare the next generation of graduates: the eighth graders at St. Patrick Catholic Academy passing on their graduation caps to the Brooklyn school’s kindergartners.

In the caption of the video posted on Facebook, the passing of the hats symbolizes a journey that starts in small steps and ends with big dreams.

The school says once you are a St. Patrick Catholic Academy student, you are always part of the family.

The eighth graders are excited to take the next step.

They held a “Draft Day” to announce their high school choices, telling their fellow graduates what schools they got into and which ones they will attend in the fall.

We wish them the best of luck at their high school “picks.”

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 5/20/26

As the Brooklyn Bridge marks 143 years, meet Emily Roebling, the trailblazing woman who helped complete one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens gathered faith leaders, educators, and volunteers at Christ the King High School in Queens to help strengthen the Church’s mission of serving those most in need.

A California hairstylist is helping families in need by reviving bartering, trading salon services for skills and support within her community.

Eighth graders at St. Patrick Catholic Academy in Brooklyn are celebrating graduation season by passing their caps to kindergarteners and announcing their high school choices in a “Draft Day” tradition.

Emily Roebling: The Woman — and the Catholic Education — Behind Building the Brooklyn Bridge

By Katie Vasquez

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, uniting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Nearly 30,000 people and more than 103,000 cars cross the bridge every day according to the New York City Department of Transportation.

But behind its massive stone towers and steel cables is the story of a woman who helped keep the project alive: Emily Roebling was the wife of Washington Roebling, who was the builder of the Brooklyn Bridge.

He took over that role from his father, John Roebling, who conceptualized the bridge itself.

Emily attended what is now known as Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C., one of the oldest Catholic schools for girls in the original thirteen colonies.

“She was educated when she was very young, which was not the case for a lot of young women then,” Natiba Guy-Clement, Director of Special Collections at the Center for Brooklyn History, told Currents News. “So I do think a lot of that had to do with her ability to persevere.”

onstruction on the bridge began in 1869. But just a few years in, Emily’s husband became seriously ill with decompression sickness, also known as “the bends,” from working in underwater caissons, box-like structures used to create dry, safe work environments when building below a waterline.

“He was bedridden and unable to visit the construction site, relying on his wife to carry his instructions to engineers and crews working on the bridge,” Guy-Clement explained.

At just 29 years old, Emily stepped into a male-dominated field. W

omen’s roles at the time were largely limited to being homemakers and taking care of children.

“Emily Roebling had to have been a woman with a lot of perseverance to be able to have people kind of see her as an authority figure within building the bridge,” Guy-Clement told Currents News.

It took 13 years for the project to be completed, and she was one of the first to cross when it opened on May 24, 1883.

While her contributions were later acknowledged, she did not receive the full credit she deserved at the time.

Now, her name is forever etched in a cornerstone of the city.

A plaque serves as a reminder of her legacy that stands among the steel, stone, and skyline of the Big Apple.

Currents News Special: ‘Pulse of the Parish’ To Air Friday, May 22 at 7 PM

By Currents News

NET-TV will premiere a special edition of Currents News, “Pulse of the Parish,” on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. EST.

This newscast highlights a new class of extraordinary parishioners whose faith, service, and compassion are strengthening Catholic communities across Brooklyn and Queens.

Hosted by anchor Christine Persichette, Currents News introduces viewers to dedicated Catholics who quietly and faithfully go above and beyond for their parishes, embodying the spirit of ministry by generously sharing their time, talent, and treasure.

Some of the featured parishioners include

Anthony Perrelli: A connection to St. Rita Church in Long Island City that spans generations has inspired Anthony to dedicate himself to serving his parish community. His commitment to giving back was deepened through personal tragedy, leading him to become a constant presence in parish life.

LaNell Schultheis: A Brooklyn teacher helping newcomers find connection and belonging at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Bay Ridge. Through English-language instruction and outreach, LaNell is helping break down language barriers and foster a welcoming parish community for people of all backgrounds.

Violet Chandler: Known as the “jack of all trades” at St. Peter Claver Church in Bedford Stuyvesant, Violet dedicates countless hours serving her parish and preserving the legacy of this historic church, which became the first predominantly black parish in the Diocese of Brooklyn in the 1920s.

Currents News is produced by NET TV, an Emmy Award-winning cable network featuring news and information from the Catholic perspective. It is available in the New York area on Spectrum Channel 97, Optimum Channel 30, and Verizon Fios Channel 548. Viewers can also watch the programming live on NET TV’s website, www.netny.tv/watchnow.

TONIGHT AT 7: Meet the Woman Behind the Brooklyn Bridge

By Katie Vasquez

The Brooklyn Bridge is celebrating 143 years since opening, but many don’t know the story of the woman who helped make it possible.

Emily Roebling was a trailblazer who stepped into a role few women could have imagined in the 1800s.

California Hairstylist Brings Back Bartering to Help Those in Need

By Jenna MacDermant

Some people struggling to make ends meet in California are calling a hairstylist a blessing after she brought bartering back in style.

Hairstylist Kristal Mendoza is reviving the oldest form of trade at her salon in Pico Rivera.

It all started with a single Instagram post, and offers to barter for services soon flooded Mendoza’s direct messages on the app as the video went viral.

One message in particular caught her attention: that of Veronica Hernandez, a survivor of domestic violence and a single mom who works six days a week cleaning houses.

Hernandez sat in a salon chair for the first time in more than three years thanks to the bartering option at the salon.

In exchange for a haircut and color Hernandez offered Mendoza her cleaning services, thanking Mendoza for opening her doors and asking God to bless her business.

Mendoza says she plans to do five barters a month and is encouraging other business owners to trade their skills with people in their community.

Catholic News Headlines for Tuesday 5/19/26

Bishops around the country are praying in solidarity with the Muslim community after a deadly shooting at a San Diego mosque.

Parishioners at St. Mary’s Church in East Islip are praying for healing after vandals beheaded a statue of Jesus outside the Long Island parish.

Bishop Robert Brennan visited seminarians at Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Queens, encouraging vocations.

A Texas woman says her disabled pet goat is inspiring others by showing how perseverance and faith can overcome life’s challenges.