Pope Leo’s New Encyclical – Magnifica Humanitas
Last week Pope Leo XIV issued his new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. It used to take days, weeks, or, if you go back far enough in time, months before papal documents were readily available. In today’s age of the internet, Magnifica Humanitas was on the internet within two hours of its release.
This past Sunday I was talking with a parishioner after Mass. She spoke of liking what I say and write. She referred to me as an “intellectual.” I always hear the word “intellectual” with mixed feelings. When I think of “intellectual,” I think of people who are a lot smarter than me and study for the sake of study. I do not mean this in a bad way. I read some of what they write and enjoy it. I do not think this is what this lady meant. She was correctly referring to my love to learn more, reflect on it, and share it with others. I study to grow in my personal relationship with Jesus.
Why am I mentioning this in conjunction with Pope Leo’s new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas?
I mentioned above that Magnifica Humanitas was available on the internet within two hours of its release. I know this because that was when I printed it so I could begin reading it. I want to know what the Pope has to say.
I finished reading it Sunday evening. I need to reflect on it more before I write specifics on it. For now, I will just offer some general thoughts on Magnifica Humanitas beginning with the simple fact that it is a wonderful document. I truly believe that the Holy Spirit was at work in Pope Leo as he wrote Magnifica Humanitas.
The secular news stories I have seen on Magnifica Humanitas report on what it says about artificial intelligence (A.I.). This alone would make it a good and important document. There are some people who embrace new technology without much, if any, concern for ethical questions on how it is used. I pray they will read Magnifica Humanitas.
Catholic news services report on more than just what Magnifica Humanitas says about A.I. To me, the additional parts help make it a document that is very much needed.
Pope Leo does not begin Magnifica Humanitas with A.I. He begins by offering an overview of the history of Catholic Social Teaching and the question of applying our Catholic understanding of human dignity to today’s world. In a world where political leaders say the Pope shouldn’t be commenting on Iran and nuclear weapons and should stay out of politics, Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo provides an excellent explanation on why the Church speaks on such things. He speaks not for politics but on what our faith says about how we treat individuals, groups, and nations. If we want to be faithful Catholics, our faith must be part of vital part of how we treat others.
There are people who think the Christian faith is outdated and/or irrelevant today. In Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo explains how our faith is relevant today. He acknowledges the world is constantly changing. He helps us understand how this makes it all the more important for us to reflect on what is going in the world using our Catholic faith as our foundation and Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. We must read the signs of the times with the light of faith.
For those who think our faith is irrelevant, I think of Jesus’ words referring to Psalm 118:22, “Have you not read this scripture passage: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Mark 12:10).
If you like to read about our faith, I encourage you to read Magnifica Humanitas. If you do not read it for yourself, you can wait for me to write more in the future on it.
Until then, I make three simple requests of you.
- Will you please join me in praying that those who hold leadership positions in our country (and abroad), read Magnifica Humanitas to understand what our faith has to offer concerning A.I., war, and other important things in our modern world.
- I also ask that you pray for those who think our faith is outdated and/or irrelevant, that they will read Magnifica Humanitas and come to understand how much our faith has to offer in today’s world.
- Lastly, I ask you to pray for the everyday Catholic (and others) who practice some faith but do not make our Catholic faith the foundation of their lives.
Led by the Holy Spirit, let us all come to follow Jesus as “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
I recently read Pope Leo’s new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. I was grateful to read what he wrote, and I was glad I had the chance to do so quickly after he wrote it. Prior to his writing this document, I was thinking about some of the issues and concerns that he addressed it. I agree that the Catholic faith has a lot to offer in today’s world as evidenced by this fine encyclical. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Magnifica Humanitas with us Fr. Jeff.