Pope approves creation of Commission on Artificial Intelligence

Image: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV has approved the creation of an Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence in a rescript dated May 12 and released on Saturday 16 May. The document was signed by Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Considering "the development in recent decades of the phenomenon of Artificial Intelligence and the most recent accelerations in its widespread use; its potential effects on human beings and on humanity as a whole; the Church's concern for the dignity of every human person, especially in relation to their integral development; Pope Leo XIV approved the establishment of a Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence," the text reads.

The Pope approved the creation of the body following an audience with Cardinal Czerny on May 3. The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will coordinate the work of the Commission for the first year.

The text explains that the Commission is made up of representatives from seven 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.

One of these institutions will be in charge of coordinating the Commission for one-year terms, which can be renewed, and the Pope then decides the next body that will lead the works.

The text explains that "it is the responsibility of the coordinating institution to facilitate collaboration and the exchange of information among group members regarding activities and projects related to Artificial Intelligence, including policies on its use within the Holy See, while promoting dialogue, communion, and participation."

Cardinal Czerny established the body according to Article 28 of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium, under which the head of a Dicastery may create a special interdicasterial commission to address matters that touch the responsibilites of several Dicasteries and that require "mutual and frequent consultation."

This is not the first time Dicasteries have come together to address this issue. In January 2025, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Dicastery for Culture and Education published the note Antiqua et Nova on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence.

Additionally, the theme has been present throughout Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, as he has often spoken about artificial intelligence and other technological advancements and the challenges they can pose to our society.

As early as May 10, 2025, only days after his election, in a meeting with the cardinals, the Pope explained that his choice of papal name was inspired by Pope Leo XIII who addressed the issues brought about by the industrial revolution in his encyclical Rerum Novarum.

He then highlighted that "in our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour."

Read the full rescript here: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/05/16/0416/00814.html

See also: New Vatican document examines potential and risks of AI - ICN Jan 28th, 2025 - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51607