Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical addresses artificial intelligence and apologizes for the Church’s role in slavery

What is new about Leo’s apology on slavery?

Sources say earlier popes had apologized for Christians’ involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but Leo is reported to be the first pope to publicly acknowledge and ask forgiveness for the Holy See’s own role in legitimizing slavery by granting rulers authority to subjugate and enslave non-Christians Boston Herald,Reuters,Independent.

What does the encyclical say about artificial intelligence?

The encyclical presents AI as a major challenge for human dignity and says it should be governed by strict ethical constraints as it expands into areas such as labor and war Guardian,El Comercio Perú. It also links the digital economy to newer forms of exploitation, including labor tied to extracting minerals used for chips WHAS 11 Louisville,Clarin.

Why are slavery and AI discussed together in the same document?

Leo ties the Church’s delayed condemnation of slavery to a warning about present-day exploitation, arguing that failing to confront abusive practices in the digital economy would repeat earlier moral failures Terra,El Comercio Perú. Several reports say he explicitly connected the trans-Atlantic slave trade to newer forms of slavery and colonialism associated with the digital revolution WHAS 11 Louisville,Guardian.