Carmen Álvarez Cuadrado
Pope Leo XIV already has his first encyclical. It is called Magnifica humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”). In the document, the pope focuses on the big societal challenges of his pontificate: the challenges of artificial intelligence and world peace.
When Prevost was elected, he chose his papal name in honor of Leo XIII, who was the first pope to use encyclicals as a way of promoting what we now call Catholic social doctrine in the face of the risks and dangers of the Industrial Revolution.
POPE LEO XIV
He tackled the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution, and today the Church offers to all its social doctrine heritage to respond to another industrial revolution and the development of artificial intelligence, which present new challenges for defending human dignity, justice, and work.
That specific encyclical of Leo XIII was Rerum Novarum. His successor, Leo XIV, will now offer a sort of sequel document aimed at addressing the revolutions of the 21st century.
The two documents also share another thing in common. Rerum Novarum was signed on May 15, 1891; Leo XIV has now signed his first encyclical on the same day, but 135 years later. Although it will be published on May 25, the 15th of May was also chosen by other popes.
On May 15, 1931, Pius XI published the encyclical Quadragesimo Anno, an update of Leo XIII’s document. In it he tackled contemporary issues surrounding social justice, private property, and wages.
Another thirty years later, on May 15, 1961, John XXIII signed Mater et Magistra, another encyclical that also dealt with these themes, including the importance of cooperation over the class struggle of Communism.
Now, just over a year after the beginning of his pontificate, Leo XIV will publish his debut encyclical, making his first contribution to Catholic social doctrine at a time when it is sorely needed.
