Prayer for the World June 3, 2026
Magnificent Humanity
Introduction
The Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. On May 15th, marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, entitled ‘Magnifica Humanitas/Magnificent Humanity: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.’ Artificial intelligence (AI) is the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. In this encyclical he appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace in a world with AI.
Song: Sister Wisdom by Jan Navotka
Chorus: Sister Wisdom, Spirit of Grace, Arise! Awake in me!
I long for wisdom, for healing vision.
Sister Sophia, be my light. Chorus.
Come, listen deeply, to wisdom’s presence,
Within the wind, the fire, the sea. Chorus.
Deep in creation, deep in our Being,
The song of wisdom echoes clear. Chorus.
Reading for Reflection
Pope Leo XIV has taken up the legacy of his predecessor, writing a social encyclical which addresses one of the principal challenges of the contemporary age: artificial intelligence. These opening words summarize its underlying reasons and purpose. “Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal challenge, either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.”
Magnifica humanitas has an underlying premise: technology is not “a force antagonistic to humanity” (4), nor is it “inherently evil” (9). However, “technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it.” Therefore, Pope Leo XIV appeals to people to build “for the common good” and to “remain human,” following a courageous mentality of shared responsibility and communion, so that the world “will come to recognize the human heart as the place where God desires to dwell” (16).
Silent Reflection
Intercessions: Our response is “Spirit of Wisdom, hear us.”
Pope Leo presented the encyclical at the Vatican. The following intercessions are based on what he shared in that presentation:
That the Church may bring the wisdom our time needs, we pray:
That we may decipher new things in the light of the Gospel, we pray:
That we may stay awake to the gravity of the moment to the future of humanity, we pray:
That with our differences we can truly listen to one another and thus be a sign of hope, we pray:
That we may look at AI with the eyes of faith and with the cries of the earth and the poor in our hearts, we pray:
That we may build a future for the entire human family not a privileged few, we pray:
That we not fear AI but always keep the service of humanity in mind, we pray:
O God, Spirit of Wisdom, guide those who have the power and expertise to shape the new world of Artificial Intelligence, to do so with the sacredness and dignity of the human person in mind. May our technical progress serve humanity not harm it. We ask this in the name of our Creator and loving God. Amen.
Song: Sister Wisdom