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Vatican Launches Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence, Holds First Meeting
On 27 June 2026, the Vatican opened a new chapter in its engagement with technology by convening the first meeting of its Interdicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence (ICAI) in Rome. The commission, established by Pope Leo XIV through a rescript dated 12 May and publicly released on 16 May, is charged with coordinating the Holy See’s activities in the study, reflection, and use of AI.
Palazzo San Calisto hosted representatives from four dicasteries – Doctrine of the Faith, Culture and Education, Communication, and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development – alongside members of the Pontifical Academies for Life, Sciences, and Social Sciences. The gathering sought to share ongoing initiatives, pinpoint shared priorities, and draft an initial roadmap for an AI vision that upholds human dignity, the common good, and the Church’s mission.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, opened the session by underscoring the unprecedented speed of AI’s evolution and its implications for human dignity. He noted the growing dialogue between the Church and the technology sector, and highlighted the resonance of Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. He called for prudent discernment to balance AI’s opportunities with its ethical, social, cultural, and environmental risks.
Participants reviewed studies and initiatives that probe AI’s scientific, social, ethical, and educational impacts. The commission acknowledged the groundwork laid by the Congress on AI Ethics, the Rome Call for AI Ethics, and the Pope’s 2024 message on AI and peace issued for World Day of Peace. A consensus emerged that the ICAI would serve two main functions: internal coordination and information sharing among Holy See institutions, and acting as a reference point for discernment and support of AI‑related initiatives.
The meeting also stressed the importance of engaging with academic, scientific, and business communities, as well as bishops’ conferences, to keep the Church’s reflection in sync with societal transformations. A dedicated website was proposed to disseminate information and facilitate communication.
In terms of next steps, the commission will begin by mapping existing initiatives, collecting themes identified by the various entities, and developing guidelines for the use of AI within the Holy See. The group will reconvene in mid‑July to review progress.
The creation of the ICAI follows the Pope’s earlier approval of the commission in May 2026 and the publication of Magnifica Humanitas on 25 May, which calls for AI to serve humanity and safeguards the human person in the age of artificial intelligence. The commission’s establishment marks a concrete effort by the Vatican to address the ethical and societal implications of rapidly evolving AI systems.
Palazzo San Calisto hosted representatives from four dicasteries – Doctrine of the Faith, Culture and Education, Communication, and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development – alongside members of the Pontifical Academies for Life, Sciences, and Social Sciences. The gathering sought to share ongoing initiatives, pinpoint shared priorities, and draft an initial roadmap for an AI vision that upholds human dignity, the common good, and the Church’s mission.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, opened the session by underscoring the unprecedented speed of AI’s evolution and its implications for human dignity. He noted the growing dialogue between the Church and the technology sector, and highlighted the resonance of Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. He called for prudent discernment to balance AI’s opportunities with its ethical, social, cultural, and environmental risks.
Participants reviewed studies and initiatives that probe AI’s scientific, social, ethical, and educational impacts. The commission acknowledged the groundwork laid by the Congress on AI Ethics, the Rome Call for AI Ethics, and the Pope’s 2024 message on AI and peace issued for World Day of Peace. A consensus emerged that the ICAI would serve two main functions: internal coordination and information sharing among Holy See institutions, and acting as a reference point for discernment and support of AI‑related initiatives.
The meeting also stressed the importance of engaging with academic, scientific, and business communities, as well as bishops’ conferences, to keep the Church’s reflection in sync with societal transformations. A dedicated website was proposed to disseminate information and facilitate communication.
In terms of next steps, the commission will begin by mapping existing initiatives, collecting themes identified by the various entities, and developing guidelines for the use of AI within the Holy See. The group will reconvene in mid‑July to review progress.
The creation of the ICAI follows the Pope’s earlier approval of the commission in May 2026 and the publication of Magnifica Humanitas on 25 May, which calls for AI to serve humanity and safeguards the human person in the age of artificial intelligence. The commission’s establishment marks a concrete effort by the Vatican to address the ethical and societal implications of rapidly evolving AI systems.
