BREAKING Pope Leo XIV Approves Creation of a New Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence

Pope Leo XIV approved the creation of an Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence in a rescript dated May 12, released on May 16, and signed by Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

In light of “the development in recent decades of the phenomenon of Artificial Intelligence and the most recent accelerations in its widespread use; its potential effects on human beings and on humanity as a whole; the Church’s concern for the dignity of every human person, especially in relation to their integral development; Pope Leo XIV approved the establishment of a Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence,” the text reads.

The Pope approved the creation of the body following an audience with Cardinal Czerny on May 3. The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will coordinate the work of the Commission for the first year.
The text explains that the Commission is made up of representatives from 7 Vatican bodies: the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Dicastery for Communication, the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
FULL TEXT from the Holy See:

Rescriptum ex Audientia SS.mi regarding the establishment of the Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence, 16.05.2026

RESCRIPTUM EX AUDIENTIA SANCTISSIMI

The Supreme Pontiff Leo XIV, in the Audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, on 3 May 2026, considering

- the development of the Artificial Intelligence phenomenon in recent decades and the most recent accelerations in its general use;

- its potential effects on humans and on humanity as a whole;

- the Church's concern for the dignity of every human being, especially in relation to his or her integral development,

approved the establishment of the

Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence , established by the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development pursuant to art. 28 § 5 of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium .

In this regard, it has established the following:

1. The Commission is composed of representatives of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Dicastery for Communication, the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

2. Any changes to the composition of the Commission will be submitted to the Holy Father for approval.

3. The Head of Entity of each listed Institution delegates a representative to the Commission.

4. Coordination of the Commission is entrusted, for one year, renewable if necessary, to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Subsequently, the Roman Pontiff will entrust coordination to one of the participating institutions, also for a period of one year.

5. The coordinating Institution is responsible for facilitating collaboration and the exchange of information among the members of the group regarding activities and projects concerning Artificial Intelligence, including policies for its use within the Holy See, promoting dialogue, communion and participation.

From the Vatican, May 12, 2026

Michael Card. Czerny, S.I.

Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting
Integral Human Development

Source - https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/05/16/0416/00814.html and Vatican News