Pope Leo Schooled the Tech Bros on Tolkien
Pope Leo XIV's encyclical, "Magnifica humanitas," addresses the implications of artificial intelligence while referencing J.R.R. Tolkien's works. The pope critiques the technocratic paradigm and expresses skepticism towards tech billionaires' motives in developing AI. His invocation of Tolkien serves as a reminder of the corrupting nature of power, contrasting with how some tech leaders interpret the author's messages.
- ▪Pope Leo XIV's encyclical focuses on safeguarding humanity in the age of artificial intelligence.
- ▪He warns against the technocratic paradigm that reduces creation to exploitation.
- ▪The pope's reference to Tolkien critiques the misinterpretation of his works by tech billionaires.
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| Original publisher | WIRED |
| Canonical URL | https://www.wired.com/story/pope-leo-schooled-the-tech-bros-on-tolkien/ |
| Publication time | Tue, 26 May 2026 23:19:03 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-26T23:22:55.340Z |
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Miles KleeCultureMay 26, 2026 7:19 PMPope Leo Schooled the Tech Bros on TolkienThe Holy Father referenced The Lord of the Rings in his encyclical about AI—an expert (if unintentional) troll of tech billionaires who keep misinterpreting the series.Photograph: Franco Origlia/Getty ImagesCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyNobody was surprised that Pope Leo XIV cited well-known saints and previous pontiffs in his first encyclical, or papal letter of spiritual guidance, “Magnifica humanitas,” released Monday.But the name that immediately jumped out to many readers is one synonymous with high fantasy literature: J.R.R.
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