Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, in a statement issued May 26.
Coakley said, “The Church in the United States welcomes the publication of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical letter, Magnifica Humanitas, with gratitude and praise. It is a powerful reminder that no technology can replace a child of God, and all technology should be placed at the service of helping humanity thrive.”
He continued by drawing parallels to previous papal teachings: “As his predecessor Pope Leo XIII addressed the challenges of the Industrial Revolution in Rerum Novarum one hundred thirty-five years ago, our Holy Father shines the light of the Gospel and the tradition of the Church on the new opportunities and challenges posed by the rise of Artificial Intelligence. The Pope calls us to never lose sight of the inherent dignity of all human life and the moral imperative for technology to support peace and the common good rather than the limited interest of a few.”
Coakley also said that recognizing this issue’s importance led to action within their organization: “Recognizing the importance of this issue to the Holy Father and to us all, the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops tasked the USCCB Committee on Doctrine to lead and coordinate our work regarding Artificial Intelligence. It reflects the Catholic belief that the dignity of the human person is inviolable.”
He concluded with an invitation for further reflection: “My brother bishops and I look forward to prayerfully reading this encyclical more deeply over the next few days. We encourage all people of good will to reflect on this rich papal teaching and seek ways in which to apply it in their lives.”
The Archdiocese of Newark engages in social outreach across northern New Jersey counties including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union; provides pastoral care; participates in global initiatives such as World Mission Sunday collections; offers parish support; faith formation; community events; and is led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin as Archbishop, according to the official website.
