Magnifica Humanitas – Conclusion

This is the seventh and final article in a series on Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas   

• The first article was a general commentary on the encyclical.   

• The second article discussed the introduction and chapter one in more detail.   

• The third article discussed chapter 2, “Foundations and Principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church.”   

• The fourth article discussed chapter 3, “Technology and Dominance:  The Grandeur of Humanity in Light of the Promises of AI.”   

• The fifth article discussed chapter 4, “Safeguarding Humanity at a Time of Transformation, Truth, Work, Freedom.” 

• The sixth article discusses chapter 5, “The Culture of Power and the Civilization of Love.” 

• This article covers Pope Leo XIV’s conclusion to Magnifica Humanitas and Fr. Jeff’s final thoughts. 

We now come to Pope Leo XIV’s conclusion to Magnifica Humanitas,  In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray “thy kingdom come” but there are people who, instead of seeking to help build God’s Kingdom here on earth, seek to make a name for themselves as did the people who set out to build the Tower of Babel (see Genesis 11:1-9).  The world would be a better place if everyone sought to do God’s Will.  Instead, Pope Leo writes, “Our world is filled with attempts to seize control of markets and spheres of influence, often shrouded in reassuring rhetoric and seductive ideologies.  Yet our hearts yearn for an approach that is wise and benevolent, akin to that which Mary praises in her Magnificat” (230). 

Do you choose to make your own way in the ways of the world or do you seek God’s Way? 

We are human and we struggle with desires of the flesh.  As humans, we are in need of redemption.  Pope Leo writes, “At the heart of everything is the mystery of the Incarnation” (231).  Our flesh is weak yet Jesus chose to follow our Father’s Will, becoming incarnate in the flesh to redeem not just our souls but our bodies and humanity as well. 

While some people seek an “enhanced and almost disembodied humanity,” we are called to embrace what God offers us, redeemed by the Incarnation of Christ (Pope Leo, 232).  Our bodies say something about who we are created to be.  In the Incarnation, Jesus “takes upon himself our weakness and transforms it into a setting for salvation” (Pope Leo, 232).  We need not reject our bodies.  We have “a God who is born in a manger, a God who lives and travels in Judea, a God who dies on the cross, a a dead God who lies in the tomb” (Pope Leo, 232). 

Pope Leo writes, “In Christ we are called to cooperate in the work of creation, rather than be disinterested observers of technological processes that limit our freedom and responsibility” (233).  God wants us to work with him rather than make our own way.  God wants us to be in “authentic relationship” (233) with him.  The digital world and AI cannot form a personal relationship with us.  AI does not have a heart or a conscience.  God has given us both, making humanity superior to technology. 

To become the greatest person we can be, we need to place our relationship with God at the center of everything we do (see Pope Leo, 236).  Pope Leo writes, “We must lay aside an individualistic and technical view of humanity” (237).  God did not create us to live in isolation.  Rather, God created us to be one body united in love.  We find out who we truly are when we let go of ourselves to love God and our neighbor.  AI does not love us.  God does. 

In evaluating the merits of AI, Pope Leo writes, “Every technical or economic decision should include spiritual discernment and be an opportunity for assessing whether the advances in AI are promoting justice and participation or concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a select few” (240).  In short, we need to discern who does AI really benefit.  We need to be most concerned with those who suffer.   

We must evaluate any new developments like AI “from the viewpoint of the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the wounded child, the exile and the fugitive” (Pope Leo, 244). 

What do you think of AI?  Will AI help you become a better Catholic or will it lead away from the Lord? 

Peace, 

Fr. Jeff