By Christina Bagaglio Slentz, Ph.D.
Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” in May.
He reflects on humanity (God’s greatest creation), what good (or integral) human development looks like (the Kingdom of God), and how technology — particularly, the rise of artificial intelligence poses significant risks to human dignity and our collective human capacity to serve as co-creators of God’s Kingdom.
Do you feel this tension with tech in your own life? In your household and human relationships? Do you see AI creeping into the fabric of our social world in a way that gives you pause? How might the gift of creation offer a counterbalance to soften the risks associated with these powerful tools? Moreover, how can we ensure technology serves humanity rather than humanity serving technology?
Not ‘inherently evil,’ but ‘never neutral’
In his encyclical, Pope Leo writes, it is through the framework of integral human development that we can interpret the changes brought forward by the rapidly unfolding digital revolution. He explains, the quality of human flourishing is “measured by the ability to integrate justice toward people and the care of our common home, and to promote dignified living conditions, access to necessary goods, just social relations, care of creation and consideration for future generations” (No. 84).
So often, we apply technological solutions to these goals, but Pope Leo cautions, “technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate and use it” (No. 9).
He uses the Scripture story of the Tower of Babel to illustrate the temptations of power and wealth that can lead to dehumanization in the development of new technology.
On the other hand, Pope Leo recognizes that technology offers many goods that have uplifted humanity. He uses the Scripture story of the Book of Nehemiah, in which the people rebuild Jerusalem upon their return from the Babylonian exile, to show how we might collaboratively draw on our diverse skills and qualities to build a New Jerusalem.
There, creation lives not in a market or tech-driven uniformity, but rather in sacred unity with God at the center. Therefore, the pope concludes, technology involves an ancient choice for users, rooted largely in its intention.
Technology and creation?
“The Holy Spirit challenges us today regarding our relationship with technology,” Pope Leo writes. This year’s diocesan Catholic Campaign for Human Development intern, Pia Kellems, reflected on this new encyclical and explored how we might prioritize human dignity in the age of AI by using it for the common purpose of caring for creation. If you have a smart phone, you can do this!
As she explains, AI cannot replace humanity’s desire to care for the environment, but many environmental phone applications rely on crowdsourced data, meaning they depend on human users to provide real-time, everyday data such as biodiversity sightings and water- and air-quality information. Because creation is highly vulnerable to our human behavior and, since water and air pollution disproportionately impact low-income communities, engagement with these “apps” responds to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.
Here are a few free apps she recommends for nurturing your relationship with creation and supporting the integral human development of our communities:
- AirNow — EPA’s app providing air-quality information.
- Earth Hero — tracks your carbon emissions and helps to set sustainability goals.
- California Smoke Spotter — tracks fires/smoke/air quality and hazard location.
- Get It Done — allows users to report non-emergency problems to the City of San Diego, such as infrastructure issues and neighborhood cleanliness.
- iNaturalist — allows users to ID plants and animals and share biodiversity data.
- Merlin Bird — identifies and tracks birds based on sight or sound.
- StarMap 3D+ — experience the awe and wonder of the night sky
To access the pope’s encyclical on the Vatican’s website in a range of languages, visit bit.ly/MagnificaHumanitas2026. The Dicastery for Integral Human Development also offers this pastoral kit, https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/magnifica-humanitas/risorse/kit-pastorale.html, as a resource to guide exploration of the encyclical.
St. Carlos Acutis, known for your good use of technology, pray for us!
