The Pope has expressed concerns about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, warning of potential endless warfare, a viewpoint that may lead to further disagreements with Donald Trump.

In a comprehensive manifesto released on Monday, Pope Leo XIV called on governments to regulate the swift progress of AI, contrasting with the US Government’s current push for deregulation in technology.

Leo emphasized the risks associated with technological advancements, such as the spread of misinformation and escalation of conflicts, asserting that entrusting AI systems with irreversible lethal decisions is unacceptable.

In his document titled “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity), addressed to the 1.4 billion members of the Catholic Church, Leo advocated for active political intervention to counter the rapid speed of technological advancements.

The Pope’s strong stance comes amidst escalating tensions with US President Donald Trump, particularly triggered by the Pope’s criticism of US and Israeli actions in Iran.

Leo’s criticism of Trump’s threats against Iranian civilization and attacks on civilian infrastructure led to a public condemnation from Senator John Kennedy in April, denouncing the president’s confrontational approach towards the Pope.

Trump’s controversial actions, including sharing an AI-generated image portraying himself as a messianic figure, further exacerbated the rift between him and the Pope.

While Leo’s focus was primarily on the regulation of AI development, he also condemned the prevalence of brutal conflicts globally, lamenting the decline of democracy and highlighting the role of the arms industry in fueling wars.

The Pope explicitly rejected the just war theory, a doctrine historically used by the Church to justify conflicts, stating that the use of force and weapons leads to disastrous consequences for civilian populations.

Leo urged policymakers to safeguard workers’ rights, condemning the exploitation of laborers in the production of technological devices essential for AI.

Acknowledging the Church’s historical failure to condemn transatlantic slavery promptly, Leo issued a personal apology, recognizing it as a wound in Christian memory and seeking forgiveness on behalf of the Church.