Pope Leo XIV Just Called AI An Instrument of Domination Exclusion and Death Then Sat Down With Anthropic to Plan Humanitys Future

Magnifica Humanitas Encyclical Launched at Vatican With Anthropic Co Founder Chris Olah Seated Among Cardinals as Pope Demands Robust Legal Frameworks Independent Oversight and Political Backbone

Pope Leo XIV has done something no pope in modern memory has ever done. On 25 May 2026, he personally presented his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), "on the protection of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence," and seated alongside the cardinals and theologians at the Vatican launch was Christopher Olah, co founder of Anthropic, one of the world's most powerful AI laboratories.

The Pope did not soft sell his case. He called parts of AI "an instrument of domination, exclusion and death."

How Pope Leo XIV Mixed Sharp Warnings With a Silicon Valley Partnership at the Magnifica Humanitas Launch

The encyclical is sweeping. The Pope warned of AI fuelling warfare and concentrating power in the hands of a few private companies. He took direct aim at the dynamic: "It is not enough to invoke ethics in the abstract; robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility are required." He spoke of dangers to children and the most vulnerable.

Olah, representing Anthropic, told the Vatican gathering that the Church's voice is needed to "ensure the gains of AI are shared globally," since AI development is currently "concentrated in a handful of wealthy nations." The Vatican framed the Anthropic involvement as part of a decade long effort to bring Silicon Valley into dialogue over the human cost of AI. The Pope was clear that dialogue does not replace regulation. He repeatedly called for external state regulation, not corporate self policing.

The Crusader's Opinion

The picture is striking. The Pope releases an encyclical calling parts of AI "an instrument of domination, exclusion and death," and an Anthropic co founder sits in the front row applauding. Christians must read the Pope's actual text rather than the partnership photo. Leo XIV is not endorsing Silicon Valley. He is summoning Silicon Valley before the Church's moral judgement. The encyclical demands real legal frameworks and independent oversight, exactly what AI companies have spent years lobbying against. Pray for Pope Leo. Pray that the Church holds the line. Pray that Christians read every word of Magnifica Humanitas before believing the headlines about it.

Take Action

• Read: The full Magnifica Humanitas encyclical
• Contact: Your legislators urging the kind of robust AI regulation Pope Leo demands
• Pray: For Pope Leo XIV, for AI workers, and for those harmed by AI deployment
• Study: The encyclical's section on AI and warfare with your small group
• Share: The "instrument of domination, exclusion and death" quote and challenge AI utopianism