Pope Leo Quotes Gandalf From The Lord of the Rings as He Issues Stark AI Warning
Pope Leo XIV has issued his first encyclical since his 2025 election, titled “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity), calling for global regulation and a slowdown in generative AI development. The pontiff warns that uncontrolled AI advancement represents one of humanity’s greatest challenges and calls on governments to implement safeguards against misinformation and harmful applications.
In a striking rhetorical move, Pope Leo quoted Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings to support his argument against unchecked technological development. The encyclical fundamentally critiques the “culture of power” driving the AI race and deregulation efforts, arguing that technology is inherently non-neutral and reflects the values of those who create, finance, and deploy it.
The Pope specifically condemned autonomous weapons systems, arguing that increasing AI control over military technology undermines the concept of “just war” and warns against an emerging AI arms race between nations. He emphasizes that regulatory frameworks must prioritize human dignity and protection over competitive advantage.
Addressing claims of AI consciousness, Pope Leo XIV explicitly rejects assertions that AI systems possess sentience, characterizing such claims as part of industry hype. His encyclical represents a significant moral intervention from the Catholic Church in contemporary AI debates, positioning the institution as a critic of unbridled technological development and an advocate for human-centered values in the digital age.