Pope Leo XIV's Encyclical: A Hidden AI Work?

The Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: A Hidden Work of AI?

Pope Leo XIV has recently drawn attention with the publication of an encyclical addressing the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity. However, this initiative has quickly been followed by speculation regarding the possible use of AI to draft this document. According to an article from The Verge, which relies on an analysis by Linch Zhang published on the LessWrong forum, certain sections of the encyclical may have been generated by an artificial language model.

Upon closer examination of the text titled Magnifica Humanitas, it appears that some paragraphs could be composed of between 40 and 100% AI-generated content, according to the detection software Pangram. A notable clue is the frequent use of the word "genuinely," which is often associated with the AI Claude developed by Anthropic. Other analyses conducted by internet users suggest that 62% of the first chapter of the encyclical may have been produced by AI, based on Pangram's findings. However, it is important to note that tests conducted on the French version of the text with other detection tools did not yield the same conclusions, with most asserting that the text appeared to be entirely written by a human.

The Verge also emphasizes that detecting AI-generated texts is not an exact science. Results can vary from one detector to another, and even when there is a consensus, it does not guarantee the accuracy of the conclusions. Nevertheless, Pangram is generally considered a reliable tool by researchers in artificial intelligence. In March 2025, Pangram estimated its false positive rate, meaning the likelihood of classifying a human-written text as AI-generated, to be about 1 in 10,000. Despite inquiries, the Vatican has yet to respond to questions regarding the possible use of AI in drafting the encyclical.

The Content of the Encyclical

The text of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical addresses crucial social issues related to the impact of artificial intelligence on the world of work. This document, the result of discussions with scientists, educators, political leaders, and families, warns against a rapid and significant reduction in available jobs. The pope expresses concerns about the profound repercussions this could have on families, youth, and local economies.

While acknowledging that technology can relieve humans of tedious or repetitive tasks, Leo XIV opposes the idea that the pursuit of profit justifies decisions that systematically sacrifice employment. He calls for anticipating transformations rather than passively accepting job cuts, and recommends the adoption of strict social criteria for any automation. These recommendations include professional retraining, worker participation, and job protection.

The pope emphasizes the importance for companies to integrate the dignity of work among their success indicators, highlighting that humanity must not be relegated to the background in the face of technological advancements.