In a move that underscores the Roman Catholic Church’s deepening engagement with technological ethics, the Vatican has released a comprehensive set of guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI)—aimed at safeguarding human dignity while encouraging responsible development. Promulgated on December 16, 2024, by the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State (in its Decreto della Pontificia Commissione per lo Stato della Città del Vaticano recante “Linee Guida in materia di intelligenza artificiale”), the new rules came into force on January 1, 2025.
These guidelines respond to growing concerns among Pope Francis and other senior Vatican officials about the unbridled growth of AI. In a preamble referencing several foundational Church documents—including the 2015 environmental encyclical Laudato Si’—the Vatican acknowledges that “science and technology are products of human creativity, understood as gifts from God,” yet warns that the misuse of these technologies “can represent a risk for survival and a danger for the common good.”
Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, L.C., President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, signed the decree establishing the guidelines. Cardinal Vérgez Alzaga described AI as a powerful force with the capacity to “improve health, reshape economies, and enhance cultural preservation,” but also one that can be misused in ways that “degrade human dignity and threaten public safety.”
The decree lays out a broad framework to regulate the design, deployment, and oversight of AI systems within Vatican City State and in its affiliated territories:
1. Human Dignity and “Anthropocentric” Focus
The guidelines emphasize that AI must always serve humanity, never supersede or diminish human decision-making. They prohibit the use of AI in ways that “trample on human autonomy” or “create social inequalities.”
2. Transparency and Accountability
The document calls for clear labeling of AI-generated content (using an “IA” designation) and mandates that users of AI within Vatican jurisdiction maintain transparent data practices. “Those affected by AI systems,” it states, “must be informed in clear and understandable language, with the right to object to incorrect data processing.”
3. Prohibition of Discrimination
In keeping with Pope Francis’s wider messages on social justice, the Vatican prohibits using AI to “produce discriminatory outcomes” or to engage in “subliminal manipulation” capable of harming individuals. The guidelines also emphasize making AI accessible to those with disabilities.
4. Data Protection
Building on Vatican City’s General Regulation on the Protection of Personal Data (enacted in April 2024), the guidelines underscore a rigorous approach to privacy. AI-driven data processing, particularly for biometric data (such as facial or fingerprint records), must respect the principles of confidentiality and proportionality.
5. Limits in Judicial and Administrative Decisions
While AI can help streamline case management or administrative processes, final decisions remain firmly in human hands—particularly within the judicial system. “Only magistrates,” the decree states, “retain exclusive authority over legal interpretation and the adoption of judicial measures.”
Beyond ethics and data protection, the guidelines delve into sector-specific recommendations, Vatican City’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene may integrate AI for patient care and disease prevention, provided it does not undermine the “dignity, freedom, or well-being of individuals.” Physicians must remain the ultimate arbiters of clinical judgments. The Vatican Museums and Cultural Heritage Directorate are encouraged to use AI for conservation, restoration, and digital archiving. However, these systems must not compromise the integrity of artworks or conflict with traditional restoration methods. AI can be employed to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency. Yet, decisions regarding maintenance, design, and other public works must not become entirely automated, preserving the “human responsibility” essential to public safety.
While these rules apply primarily within Vatican City State and certain extraterritorial zones outlined by the Lateran Treaty, Church officials suggest they could have a broader resonance. “The Vatican’s moral voice has historically shaped global debates on ethics,” says the Reverend Paul Tighe, a spokesperson for the Vatican’s department of culture and education. “By releasing these guidelines, we hope to inspire other governments and institutions to enact policies that balance innovation with the protection of the common good.”
AI industry experts note that the Vatican’s stance—emphasizing dignity, transparency, and the avoidance of discrimination—aligns with a growing worldwide consensus among policymakers. The European Union’s proposed AI Act, for instance, also focuses on protecting fundamental rights and aims to regulate high-risk AI applications. Some analysts believe that, although the Vatican’s legal jurisdiction is small, its moral authority can influence corporate practices and legislative debates far beyond Rome.
The Vatican’s framework is not, however, without critics. Some worry that stringent regulations could stifle AI innovation, especially if developers fear unintentionally running afoul of prohibitions on “manipulative” or “discriminatory” AI outputs. Others argue that the guidelines offer clarity and a moral compass, potentially averting more severe misuses of AI.
In addressing such concerns, Vatican officials stress that the goal is not to halt AI progress but to ensure that ethical considerations keep pace. “We must avoid a technological arms race where moral reflection falls behind,” a senior Vatican official commented. “AI is a tool, and as with any powerful tool, we have a responsibility to guide its use for the benefit of every person.”
The Vatican’s new AI guidelines reflect the Church’s desire to protect what it calls the “God-given dignity” of human beings. At the same time, they embrace technology’s potential for good. By codifying these principles into law, the Vatican hopes to foster dialogue on AI policy worldwide, encouraging governments, industries, and faith communities to help shape a future where AI advances human flourishing without undermining the very humanity it serves.
