In a recent directive signed by Cardinal Michael Czerny, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Pope Leo XIV has sanctioned the formation of an Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence. The decision, detailed in a rescript dated May 12 and made public on May 16, reflects the Church's commitment to evaluating the rapid advancements and implications of AI technology.
This initiative stems from concerns about the trajectory of artificial intelligence—its swift adoption, potential impact on humanity, and the significance of maintaining human dignity. The establishment of the Interdicasterial Commission aims to address these issues, as articulated by the Pope, emphasizing the focus on the holistic development of every individual.
The decision followed Pope Leo XIV’s audience with Cardinal Czerny on May 3. For its inaugural year, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will oversee the Commission's functions.
The newly formed Commission comprises representatives from seven key Vatican bodies: the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Dicastery for Communication, the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Each institution will have the opportunity to lead the Commission in one-year renewable terms, with the Pope ultimately selecting which body will assume the subsequent leadership role.
Further, the coordinating institution is tasked with fostering collaboration and information exchange among its members concerning AI-related activities and projects, particularly establishing policies for its use within the Holy See. The aim is to encourage dialogue, unity, and participation across various initiatives.
The formation of this Commission aligns with Article 28 of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium, permitting the head of a Dicastery to create specialized interdicasterial bodies to tackle issues requiring joint attention and frequent consultation.
Pope Leo XIV's engagement with this theme isn't novel; previous collaborations among Dicasteries have occurred, such as in January 2025, when the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education issued the document Antiqua et Nova, discussing the interplay between artificial intelligence and human cognition.
Throughout his papacy, the topic of artificial intelligence has been a consistent focus for Pope Leo XIV. Shortly after his election, during a meeting with cardinals on May 10, 2025, he articulated that his papal name was selected in homage to Pope Leo XIII, who addressed the ramifications of the industrial revolution in his encyclical Rerum Novarum. He underscored that in today's context, the Church’s extensive social teachings are pertinent as they respond to a new industrial revolution and the challenges posed by advances in artificial intelligence, reaffirming the necessity to defend human dignity, justice, and the rights of workers.
