Pope Leo XIV and the New Industrial Revolution

With the election of Pope Leo XIV, the Catholic Church stands at the threshold of a new industrial age. By choosing the name of Leo XIII (1810-1903), the first modern “pope of the workers,” the new pontiff has signaled his commitment to addressing the profound economic and social challenges posed by rapid technological change, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence.

Just as Leo XIII responded to the harsh realities of the 19th-century Industrial Revolution with his landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum in 1891, Pope Leo XIV seems poised to address the moral dilemmas of our current technological revolution.

When Rerum Novarum (Latin for “Of New Things”) was published, the world was in the throes of the first great industrial upheaval. Factories and railroads had transformed economies, but at a tremendous human cost. Workers toiled long hours in dangerous conditions for meager wages, while factory owners grew increasingly wealthy. Social structures that had been stable for centuries began to crack under the pressure of this new economy.

Pope Leo XIII’s response was revolutionary in its own right. He called for the recognition of workers’ rights, including the right to a just wage, reasonable working hours, safe conditions, and the right to form unions. He also emphasized the need for social justice and the dignity of every human being, declaring that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. It was a call for a more “human-centered” approach to progress, grounded in the inherent worth of every person.

Today, the world faces another profound technological shift. Artificial intelligence promises unprecedented efficiency and productivity, but also threatens to upend traditional forms of work. Much like the steam engines and power looms of the 19th century, AI has the potential to redefine labor, eliminate jobs, and deepen economic inequalities if left unchecked.

Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, explained that Pope Leo XIV chose his papal name as a nod to workers “in the era of artificial intelligence.” This choice is both symbolic and strategic, reminding us that while technologies change, the fundamental questions of human dignity and justice remain constant.

At its heart, Rerum Novarum was about the dignity of work and the sacredness of human effort. It declared that work is more than just a means of survival; it is a pathway to human flourishing and a source of personal and social meaning. In this sense, it is not merely a technical manual for economic policy but a profound meditation on what it means to be human.

As AI systems take on increasingly complex tasks, from driving trucks to drafting legal briefs, the Church under Leo XIV may once again find itself defending the right to meaningful work. This could involve advocating for fair wages, worker retraining programs, and policies that ensure the benefits of automation are shared broadly, rather than concentrated in the hands of a few tech giants.

Pope Leo XIV’s years in Peru, a country known for its economic inequality and hard-working communities, have likely given him a deep understanding of the struggles faced by workers in the developing world. His pastoral work in the northern region of Chiclayo, where many rely on agriculture and manual labor, may inspire a pontificate focused on the dignity of all labor, from the fields of Peru to the coding floors of Silicon Valley.

In a world increasingly driven by algorithms, the Church under Leo XIV may seek to renew its call for economic solidarity and ethical innovation. Just as Leo XIII championed the rights of factory workers and artisans, his 21st-century successor may soon advocate for the rights of digital workers, gig economy laborers, and those displaced by automation.

Pope Leo XIV’s choice of name suggests that he sees the current moment not merely as a technical challenge, but as a profound moral one. Like his namesake, he appears ready to call for a more just, human-centered economy, where technological progress does not come at the expense of human dignity.