Pope Leo’s ‘Anti-AI’ Encyclical Sparks ’Butlerian Jihad’ Memes
Key takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV (the first American pope, from Chicago) has long been a high-profile critic of generative AI, positioning the Catholic Church as a moral voice speaking truth to the power of Silicon Valley.
- In his first encyclical, Pope Leo outlined his concerns—not just about generative AI, but about the crucial choices facing humanity in our fast-changing modern world.
- “In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human,” the pope wrote.
Arts Pope Leo’s AI Encyclical Sparks ’Butlerian Jihad’ Memes Pope Leo XIV voiced his concerns about AI and other technologies in his first encyclical, sparking praise and memes on social media, along with jokes about a ‘Butlerian Jihad.’By Dani Di Placido,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dani Di Placido covers film, television, and internet culture.Follow Author May 26, 2026, 06:17pm EDTUpdated May 26, 2026, 06:42pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Pope Leo XIV received online praise for voicing concerns about AI in his encyclical. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesThe Catholic Church is having a bit of a moment right now.
Pope Leo XIV (the first American pope, from Chicago) has long been a high-profile critic of generative AI, positioning the Catholic Church as a moral voice speaking truth to the power of Silicon Valley.