By Dorothy Fernandes for BIS Mumbai

Vasai, June 11, 2026: Nearly 120 priests of the Diocese of Vasai gathered at Atmashodh Darshan Kendra, Sandor, for a study session on Pope Leo XIV’s recently published encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, a landmark document addressing the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reaffirming the dignity of the human person in a rapidly evolving technological age.

The session was held under the guidance of Bishop Thomas D’Souza of Vasai, who invited Fr Joaquim Fernandes, SDB, to serve as the resource person. The programme formed part of the Diocese’s ongoing formation initiatives aimed at helping clergy respond to emerging technological realities in the light of Catholic social teaching and pastoral ministry.

A distinctive feature of the gathering was the participation of students from Don Bosco School, Naigaon, who shared their reflections on the growing role of AI in education and daily life. While appreciating the benefits of AI tools for learning, communication, and project work, the students also voiced concerns regarding its impact on emotional well-being, creativity, and independent thinking. They highlighted the importance of responsible and guided use of technology, especially among young people.

In his presentation, Fr Fernandes outlined the background and significance of Magnifica Humanitas, signed by Pope Leo XIV on May 15, 2026, marking the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s historic encyclical Rerum Novarum. He described the document as a significant contribution to the Church’s social doctrine, addressing not only technological advancement but also its moral, social, and anthropological consequences.

Structured in five chapters, the encyclical applies the principles of human dignity, solidarity, and the common good to the field of Artificial Intelligence. Fr Fernandes emphasized that the document calls for careful discernment regarding the growing influence of algorithms in shaping communication, governance, culture, work, and public opinion.

One of the central themes discussed was Pope Leo XIV’s assertion that Artificial Intelligence “needs to be disarmed.” Fr Fernandes clarified that this is not a rejection of technology but a moral appeal to prevent AI from being used for domination, exploitation, warfare, and exclusion. Drawing parallels with nuclear technology, the encyclical calls for ethical governance, transparency, accountability, and international cooperation in the development and deployment of AI systems.

At the heart of Magnifica Humanitas lies a profound affirmation of the unique dignity of the human person, created in the image of God. The document cautions against reducing human intelligence to mere computation and highlights essential human qualities such as conscience, freedom, love, creativity, suffering, and relationships—dimensions that cannot be replicated by machines.

To enrich the discussion, Fr Fernandes introduced participants to contemporary AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude AI, Canva AI, and Magisterium.AI, demonstrating their capabilities while stressing that AI-generated content is not inherently truthful and must be approached with discernment. He also presented insights from Christopher Olah, a leading researcher in AI interpretability, underscoring the depth of the Church’s engagement with the subject.

The session concluded with a reflection on Pope Leo XIV’s call to build a “civilisation of love” rather than a modern Tower of Babel founded on pride and self-sufficiency. Fr Fernandes encouraged the clergy to study the encyclical carefully and develop local pastoral responses that uphold human dignity and foster responsible engagement with technology in the age of algorithms.