Pope Leo XIV has apologized for the Catholic Church’s role during the era of slavery.
In his first encyclical, published on Monday, the head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics acknowledged that his Church did not decisively condemn the slave trade – which lasted for many centuries – until the 19th century.
Slavery, Pope Leo writes, "constitutes a wound in Christian memory," adding: "For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for pardon."
The encyclical focuses largely on the risks posed by artificial intelligence to peace, democracy and human dignity.
Leo addresses what AI means for labour in the modern world. His text refers to "new forms of slavery" – for example, in AI data centres or in the manufacture of microchips and technical devices such as computers or smartphones that utilize AI.
In some parts of the world, he points out, children and young people also work under dangerous conditions, suffering mutilation and exploitation to keep data flowing.
"This reality deeply challenges the moral conscience of our time," he writes.
