Responses to Magnifica Humanitas

On 25 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV launched his first encyclical letter, Magnifica Humanitas, on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.

While it has often been referred to as an encyclical all about AI, Magnifica Humanitas is an in-depth look at what it means to be human in our current times. It is a reminder of the foundations of Catholic social teaching: the dignity of the human person, made in the image of God, the importance of working together for the common good, and the shared responsibility we all have to build a better world.

Just over a month on from its publication, CAFOD partners around the world consider the message of this encyclical and what it means for them in their work:

Rosmary Llado, Bolivia

Get involved

Give

Campaign with CAFOD

Pray with us

Volunteer

Slide 1 of 4

On 25 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV launched his first encyclical letter, Magnifica Humanitas, on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.

Just over a month on from its publication, CAFOD partners around the world consider the message of this encyclical and what it means for them in their work:

Rosmary Llado, Bolivia

Rosmary Llado works for Caritas Beni in the Bolivian Amazon. Caritas Beni works with indigenous leaders to defend their land and environment, and to prepare for and recover from natural disasters such as forest fires.

Like many of us, Rosmary can see the benefits of technology, but she is also aware of how it can “divide, exclude and generate new forms of injustice”. (Magnifica Humanitas #9)

“I see the benefits of technology when we use WhatsApp and TikTok groups to warn of rising river levels, to save lives and crops, and when artisans sell their products online.

But I also see a tremendous injustice when children in rural areas or poor neighbourhoods cannot study because there is no internet signal, because they do not have a mobile phone, let alone a computer.

I believe we must demand that access to the internet and digital education be recognised as a basic right in Bolivia.”

Dom Pedro Brito, Brazil

Dom Pedro is the Vice President of REPAM, a Church based organisation, which works across the Brazilian Amazon, to train and mobilise grassroots leaders so that they can defend their rights and protect their environment.

He is delighted that the Pope has written an encyclical focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence and has drawn our attention to the importance truly knowing and understanding one another as human beings.

Watch Dom Pedro's reflection:

Daud Jibon Das, Bangladesh

Daud Jibon Das is the Executive Director of Caritas Bangladesh, an organisation which supports many people throughout Bangladesh as they seek to build a better future. People such as Obeyedul, who worked together with his neighbours to build floating gardens, so they can grow food all year round.

Jibon reflects on the way that technology is changing our relationships with one another and how the emphasis on dignity within the encyclical chimes with Caritas Bangladesh’s approach.

Watch Jibon’s full reflection:

Sueli De Fatima, Brazil

Sueli works for MDF (Movement in Defence of the Favelas) supporting often excluded communities, particularly women, Afro-Brazilians, older people and children – to secure decent housing, transport and work in São Paulo, Brazil.

She considers how Pope Leo is continuing Pope Francis’ legacy; the importance of dialogue and how peace and justice are intertwined.

“We reiterate that dialogue is an integral part of the Church’s vocation and is therefore an integral part of the MDF’s vocation – a vocation that involves listening, consulting, bringing people together and articulating the causes we champion.

In this genuine encounter between equals, where we respect diversity and plurality, we create fertile ground, as Pope Leo says.

In our work with the MDF in the struggle for housing, we build a peaceful coexistence – but one that is responsible and courageous, isn’t it?

Because we need a great deal of courage to mediate conflicts and to negotiate with the authorities, within the context of the city in which we live, where we operate, and where we wish to build relationships that foster life and life in abundance for all.

We are building a city geared towards the common good, where people collectively – in communities, associations and trade unions – can improve their quality of life, where everyone has access to stability, prosperity and peace so they can flourish.”

Paul Muchena, Zimbabwe

Paul Muchena works for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe. This organisation works to promote interfaith dialogue, protect human rights and the rule of law, support job creation and entrepreneurship and protect the environment.

Reflecting on Magnifica Humanitas he shared:

“The Pope calls us to build a civilisation of love through dialogue. For us, dialogue means bringing together communities scared by violence, church leaders, civic actors, and government institutions to listen, reconcile, and find common ground. It is through dialogue that we strengthen social cohesion and promote social justice.

Pope Leo XIV calls us to disarm our words, our actions, even our use of technology, and embrace the disarming peace of Christ.

For the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe, this means choosing reconciliation over retaliation, dialogue over hostility, and solidarity over division.

We all share responsibility to create a Zimbabwe and a world where every person can flourish through dignity, solidarity, dialogue, justice, and a responsible use of technology.”

Luciane Udovic Bassiego, Brazil

Luciane Udovic Bassegio is the President of GRITO in Brazil. GRITO, which stands for Cry of the Excluded in Portuguese, works in communities to improve access to health and social care systems. They do this through training community leaders and civil society networks to participate in and monitor public policy processes, particularly in areas where the impacts of climate change and environmental damage are being felt.

Luciane views the encyclical as a powerful call to action, which reinforces the approach that she takes in her work and in her life, walking alongside the most vulnerable groups, caring for our common home and defending human rights. As she explains:

“Magnifica Humanitas is not just a Church document; it is much more than that. It is a call, a powerful invitation to all of us to hope and to take action.

It reinforces my conviction, the faith that I carry with me on my journey, in my activism, that every person has infinite value. And that we are all jointly responsible for building a more just, fraternal and sustainable world.”

Watch Luciane’s full reflection:

Inspired by Magnifica Humanitas, we recognise that we all have a shared responsibility to ensure that human dignity is respected, peace is founded in justice, and all people are able to flourish.

It is time to play our part, because a better world needs all of us.

Venezuela Earthquake Appeal

Call for urgent action on the global debt crisis

Contact Us

News & Stories

Weekly reflections

Resources for primary schools

Resources for young people

Responses to Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical

Rosmary Llado, Bolivia

Get involved