The Vatican Secretary of State opens five days of meetings to mark the 150th anniversary of the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and speaks about law and new technologies, drawing from Pope Leo’s encyclical "Magnifica humanitas".
Cardinal Pietro Parolin opened the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Pontifical Gregorian University's Faculty of Canon Law by reflecting on Chapter Five of Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, titled “The Culture of Power and the Civilization of Love.”
He emphasized that law should serve justice, protect the vulnerable, and promote the common good rather than become a tool of power. A major focus of his address was artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, which can either advance human dignity and participation or increase inequality, control, and exclusion.
Parolin warned against allowing algorithms to replace human moral judgment in legal and political decisions. He stressed the need for ethical regulations that ensure AI remains accountable and serves humanity. Drawing parallels with Pope Leo XIII’s response to the Industrial Revolution in Rerum Novarum, he said today’s digital revolution requires similar safeguards for human dignity.
The Cardinal also highlighted concerns about modern warfare, the weakening of international institutions, and the growing influence of powerful private technology companies. He called for a new “civilization of love” based on justice, solidarity, dialogue, and peace.
To achieve this, he proposed three guiding principles: using respectful and conciliatory language, prioritizing the perspective of victims of conflict and injustice, and pursuing realistic, practical paths to peace. He concluded that technology and law must work together to strengthen human dignity, promote justice, and resist a growing “culture of power” in society and international relations.