Anthropic Joins Pope Leo for Historic AI Encyclical

Pope Leo XIV will make history May 25 by personally presenting his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, alongside Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah — marking the first time an AI tech executive has appeared at such a Vatican announcement. Anthropic, the San Francisco-based firm behind the Claude AI assistant, has spent months conducting dialogues with religious scholars, clergy, and ethicists from over 15 traditions. Founded in 2021 as an OpenAI breakaway, Anthropic distinguishes itself through a stated commitment to AI safety and human benefit. The company's presence reflects years of Vatican engagement with AI ethics, including the 2020 Rome Call for AI Ethics and ongoing dialogues under both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV.