Tech Leaders Court the Vatican as Pope Prepares First Encyclical

May 25, 2026 - 02:20

As Pope Leo XIV prepares to write his first major encyclical, an unusual lobbying effort has taken shape inside the walls of the Vatican. Silicon Valley executives, alongside Western diplomats, have been quietly making their case to church officials about the promise and peril of artificial intelligence.

The new pontiff, known for his interest in science and technology, has drawn attention from tech leaders who see an opportunity to shape Catholic teaching on AI before it is set in stone. Several major firms have sent representatives to Rome in recent months, offering briefings and private meetings with Vatican advisors.

The church has long weighed in on moral questions around technology. Pope Francis warned about algorithmic bias and the loss of human dignity in automated systems. Leo XIV is expected to go further, addressing AI's role in warfare, labor, and human relationships.

Western diplomats have also joined the push. They argue that the Vatican's moral authority could help set global norms for AI governance, especially as other nations race ahead without clear ethical boundaries.

Vatican insiders say the pope is taking a deliberate approach. He has met with scientists, ethicists, and even skeptics of rapid AI deployment. The goal, according to one official, is not to endorse any company or product but to offer a framework rooted in human dignity.

The encyclical is expected later this year. Until then, the lobbying continues behind closed doors.