The Vatican has taken a significant step by establishing a new Interdicasterial Commission dedicated to artificial intelligence , a field that in recent years has permeated almost every aspect of social, economic, and cultural life. With this move, the Holy See seeks to equip itself with a stable instrument for thoroughly examining the ethical, pastoral, and human challenges of this rapidly advancing technology.
The decision, approved by Pope Leo XIV through a Rescriptum ex Audientia Sanctissimi , makes artificial intelligence one of the structural priorities of the current pontificate. This is not merely a symbolic gesture: the new body will be tasked with coordinating projects, establishing common criteria, and guiding the Holy See's internal policies regarding the use of algorithms and automated systems.
A Rescript that sets the Vatican's roadmap for AI
The creation of this commission was established in a Rescript released on Saturday, May 16 , which explains the origin and objectives of the new body. The document bears the signature of Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, who was received in audience by the Pope on May 3 and formally presented the proposal.
The text highlights three main reasons that led the Pope to take this step: the accelerated development of artificial intelligence in recent decades and its increasingly widespread use, the potential effects of these technologies on individuals and humanity as a whole, and the Church's constant concern for the dignity of every human being and their integral development. The Vatican considers AI not a passing phenomenon, but a genuine and fundamental transformation that affects how we think, work, communicate, and govern.
The Rescript, dated May 12 at the Vatican and made public four days later, specifies that any change to the commission's structure or composition must be approved by the Pope . This ensures that the body maintains direct contact with the Bishop of Rome and that its guidelines are clearly aligned with papal teaching.
Interdicasterial composition and presence of the pontifical academies
One of the key features of the new body is its interdicasterial nature . The commission will not be dependent on a single department, but will bring together representatives from various dicasteries and academies, reflecting the complexity of the AI phenomenon and its cross-cutting impact on the life of the Church.
According to the official statement, the commission will include delegates from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development , the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, and the Dicastery for Communication. They will be joined by experts appointed by the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, ensuring an approach that combines theology, ethics, science, and social analysis.
Each of these institutions must appoint a representative who will serve as a permanent member of the commission . Their role will not be to act independently, but to bring to the table the experience, projects, and concerns of their respective organization, ranging from bioethics to social communication, including economics, law, and religious doctrine.
The statement emphasizes that the commission is conceived as a space for dialogue, communion, and participation within the Vatican itself. In other words, the aim is to prevent each dicastery from addressing artificial intelligence on its own, generating fragmented or even contradictory responses, and instead to articulate a shared vision that can also inspire episcopal conferences in Europe and the rest of the world.
Rotating coordination and main tasks of the new commission
In the first phase, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development will coordinate the commission for one year, with the possibility of extension. After that time, the Pope may entrust the coordination to another of the participating institutions, also for one-year terms, thus establishing a rotating presidency.
The coordinating institution will be responsible for facilitating the exchange of information among all members and presenting the various artificial intelligence projects underway in the participating dicasteries and academies. Its responsibilities will also include developing and coordinating AI policies within the Holy See, including criteria for adopting new tools, data protection, algorithm transparency, and respect for fundamental rights.
The commission will also work on developing guidelines and recommendations to serve as a reference for local churches in Europe and other continents when addressing issues such as the impact of automation on employment, the use of AI in education, algorithmic justice, and the manipulation of information. The intention is for the Vatican to offer a solid ethical framework that will help church institutions, Catholic schools, universities, and social organizations navigate an increasingly complex technological environment.
This working method is reminiscent, albeit with some differences, of the Vatican commission created during the Covid-19 pandemic , also promoted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. On that occasion, the objective was to coordinate the Church's response to a global health and social crisis; now, the focus shifts to a far-reaching technological change that, in some ways, is reshaping the very fabric of societies.
Concern for human dignity and the impact of algorithms
The underlying reason for this entire initiative is Pope Leo XIV's concern for the dignity of every person in a context where algorithms increasingly influence decisions ranging from granting loans to disseminating news. Since the beginning of his pontificate, Leo XIV has spoken on numerous occasions about the risks and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence.
In his message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications , themed “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” the Pope insisted that technology cannot erase what makes each human being unique. He warned that AI systems are already capable of imitating voices, faces, and emotions, raising serious questions about authenticity, trust, and the possibility of manipulating public opinion on a large scale.
During the Regina Coeli prayer, Leo XIV emphasized that artificial intelligence systems not only affect information ecosystems but also penetrate the deepest level of communication: human relationships. He made it clear that if a large part of data processing, content selection, and even certain decisions are left in the hands of algorithms, there is a risk that people will relinquish their critical thinking skills and personal responsibility.
The Pope has also drawn attention to the use of highly computerized systems in sensitive areas, such as the financial sector. In an audience with representatives of Italian banks, he encouraged them to avoid leaving customers “abandoned to the coldness of algorithmic systems” and asked them not to forget that behind every number there are real life stories. In his opinion, even in a highly technological context, listening, empathy, and closeness cannot be replaced by an automated interface.
Along these lines, Leo XIV has called for digital literacy accompanied by a solid humanistic education . For the Pope, understanding how algorithms work and how they shape our perception of reality is as important as learning how to use them, especially for new European generations who grow up connected from childhood.
This entire doctrinal and pastoral journey explains why the Vatican has now opted to create a specific body to channel these concerns and give them practical application. The Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence is thus presented as the place where the various initiatives already underway will converge and where new lines of action will be designed to address a phenomenon that, according to Vatican sources, “is already silently reshaping daily life, labor relations, and the organization of societies.”
With the establishment of this commission, the Holy See aims to position itself in the global debate on artificial intelligence with its own voice, centered on the person and attentive to social justice. From now on, the challenge will be to translate its principles into concrete criteria for use, regulatory proposals, and responsible practices that can inspire both Church institutions and public and private actors in Europe and other continents.
