Why Pope Leo quoted Gandalf in his response to the rise of AI.
Pope Leo XIV recently addressed the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in a new encyclical letter. He emphasized the need for a commitment to humanism and warned against the moral neutrality of AI. The Pope's message includes a call for social justice and solidarity, referencing a quote from Gandalf to highlight the importance of responsible action in the face of technological advancement.
- ▪Pope Leo XIV delivered an encyclical letter urging a recommitment to radical humanism in response to AI.
- ▪The letter argues against a robotic future and emphasizes the need for social justice.
- ▪The Pope warns that AI cannot be considered morally neutral and calls for a holistic consideration of its impact on people's lives.
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| Original publisher | Literary Hub |
| Canonical URL | https://lithub.com/why-pope-leo-quoted-gandalf-in-his-response-to-the-rise-of-ai/ |
| Publication time | Tue, 26 May 2026 17:26:59 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-26T17:37:50.291Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-26T17:37:50.291Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
In a moving message this weekend, Pope Leo XIV spoke out against the rising tide of AI and urged his followers to recommit to a radical humanism. The message—delivered in the form of an encyclical letter, periodic for popes—calls for “safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.” Broken down into five lucid chapters, the letter argues against a robotic future, and for a socially just one. Though I am one of the more fallen heathens you might come across, this document feels radical—in more ways than one. First, there’s the unflinching political courage. Contra to many prior popes, this See is not afraid to weigh in on the lopsided powers granted to the billionaire class, or an undemocratic state.
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