May 29, 2026, 12:55 p.m. ET
Pope Leo's warning about the threat of artificial intelligence resonated with clergy around North Jersey, who praised the pontiff's call Monday for greater regulation of the technology.
In his highly anticipated document, called the Magnifica Humanitas, the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics focused on how to protect human dignity in the era of AI. He warned that the technology could make civilization "less human" and urged stronger regulations of AI systems.
"This is the most significant statement on technology the Catholic Church has ever issued," said Kenny Jahng of Livingston, founder of Big Click Syndicate, a strategic consulting group for Christian ministries. He added that Leo's report is likely to be the most well-read document on AI in the world.
"I believe it will be a very helpful framework for every church leader, regardless of denomination, to inform a technological roadmap for navigating AI that is grounded in centuries of Biblical teaching."
The Encyclical Letter does not tell the church to fear AI but is "asking the world to tell the truth about what AI is doing to human dignity," Jahng said.
At nearly 43,000 words, Leo's document is not exactly beach reading. But the most important takeaways, according to New Jersey's clergy, is that AI should be used to serve the common good and not dehumanize anyone.
The stark warning from the 70-year-old American-born pontiff resonated with the Rev. Christopher Benek, author of The Church Leader’s Guide to AI.
Benek, who studied at Princeton Theological Seminary and previously served churches in Ridgeview and Hopewell, New Jersey, called Leo’s message “important and timely” because it recognizes that artificial intelligence is no longer merely a technological issue. “AI is increasingly shaping how human beings understand truth, relationships, work, communication, and even what it means to be human.”
Benek, now serving First Miami Presbyterian Church in Miami, added that as AI companies become more influential, the Church must help “shape the moral imagination, human values, and communal wisdom that guide their development and use.”
Daniel Rober, associate professor of Catholic Studies at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, said: "It is clear that Leo is skeptical of this technology being deployed by private companies seeking their investors' enrichment without proper safeguards for the common good. Many of his insights, particularly about the protection of children from the perils of screens and online environments, will resonate with what parents and educators have been describing."
The 2026 State of AI in the Church Survey Report, prepared by AiForChurchLeaders.com, highlights an increase in AI use among most clergy. The survey of over 500 pastors found that 93.5% of them are engaging with or exploring AI and 43% report using it every day, which is nearly double the rate in 2024. The study also found that 64% of those who preach have used the technology for sermon preparation.
While some clergy remain cautious about using AI, others have reported that they use it for administrative duties, such as summarizing documents, organizing calendars, generating discussion questions for Bible studies or creating homilies.
Amid the rising use of the technology by clergy, Leo has repeatedly warned of its dangers. He's urged priests to "resist the temptation" to use AI in preparing their homilies and noted that AI "will never be able to share faith."
Jahng, who runs an online community group about AI for over 8,000 pastors nationwide, agrees with the bulk of Leo's concerns. As more clergy utilize the technology, the need for a policy to govern it is essential, he said.
He has advised other clergy to view AI tools the same way they see a smart intern who recently joined the team. "They are smart, they read the theology, but they don't understand the nuances of your church. So while your intern can research your homily, you would never outsource your leadership to them. Similarly, I don't know a single pastor that would just have AI write their entire sermon and preach that message as is."
The Rev. Daniel O'Mullane of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Boonton also praised Leo's position on AI.
While AI can be useful in research or organizing ideas, it can also become a shortcut "that undermines the real work of pastoral ministry," O'Mullane said.
"The core work of ministry cannot ever be automated," he said. "The church’s work is ultimately about transformation - the gospel working on and through a person’s mind and heart so that he can speak a living word to others."