VP Vance Commends Pope's AI Encyclical as Vital Moral Leadership

Washington (CNA) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance has lauded Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as "deeply insightful," describing it as a necessary manifestation of moral leadership amidst the technological turbulence of the modern age.

Vance, a former venture capitalist with deep ties to the technology sector and a prominent ally of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, offered high praise for the document titled "Magnifica Humanitas" (The Great Humanity). Released on the 25th of this month, the encyclical outlines a comprehensive list of how AI may impact humanity, warning specifically of the potential for the technology to create "new forms of slavery."

The endorsement comes despite a history of tension between the White House and Pope Leo XIV—the first American-born Pope. The Pontiff has previously clashed with the administration over policies regarding the war in Iran and has criticized the use of religious rhetoric to justify conflict.

In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Vance stated that the encyclical aligns with "what we would expect and hope for from a leader of the Church." He noted that while moral principles remain eternal, the application of those principles must evolve alongside global changes.

Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, also drew historical parallels between the current Pope and Pope Leo XIII, who addressed the challenges of the Industrial Revolution. Vance suggested that successfully navigating the AI era will depend significantly on the moral guidance provided by the Church. He concluded that religious leadership is uniquely suited to help society think prudently about these complex technological questions.