Key Takeaways
- The bishops of the COMECE urge the EU to keep artificial intelligence (AI) at the service of the human person, the common good and peace.
- They acknowledge AI’s potential for integral human development while warning of profound anthropological, ethical, social and legal risks.
- Eight guiding principles are proposed: human dignity, the common good, responsibility, non‑discrimination, protection of human uniqueness, governance of the digital commons, defence of democracy and rule of law, and AI’s contribution to peace and fraternity.
- The declaration calls for the EU to assume leadership in AI regulation, research and international cooperation, involving institutions, businesses, educators and citizens.
- Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas was presented in Brussels, framing AI ethics within a broader vision of human dignity.
- A high‑level panel discussion highlighted the need for urgent, ambitious and responsible action, with contributions from MEPs, Church officials and tech leaders.
- Additional assembly dialogues addressed the Church’s mission in Europe, women’s organisations’ advocacy, and ethical investment practices.
- The bishops sent a telegram of prayer and support to Pope Leo XIV following his surgery, and celebrated a Mass for Europe during the assembly.
- The next COMECE plenary assembly is scheduled for 21‑24 April 2027 in Brussels.
Context of the COMECE Autumn Assembly and the Magnifica humanitas Encyclical
The autumn Plenary Assembly of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) convened in Brussels from 14 to 16 October 2026 under the theme “Magnifica humanitas: Europe, Human Dignity and the Common Good.” During the assembly, Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical letter, Magnifica humanitas, was presented at a high‑level public event held in the Chapel for Europe. The gathering brought together representatives of the Holy See, EU institutions, policymakers, AI experts and journalists, providing a forum to examine how the rapid development of artificial intelligence can be harnessed while safeguarding fundamental rights. As the assembly’s report noted, “Published in May 2026, Magnifica humanitas addresses one of the defining challenges of our time: how to ensure that the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence remains at the service of the human person.”
The Bishops’ Declaration on AI: Core Concerns and Opportunities
In their statement entitled “Europe’s responsibility in the time of Artificial Intelligence: A call to safeguard the Human Person,” the bishops recognised both the promise and the peril of AI. They affirmed that AI offers significant opportunities for integral human development and the common good, yet cautioned that its rapid evolution raises profound anthropological, ethical, social and legal questions. The declaration opens with a powerful reminder: “Humanity stands at a decisive moment in which technological progress must be guided by a renewed commitment to the dignity of every person, justice and fraternity.” This framing sets the tone for a call that balances technological enthusiasm with moral responsibility, urging Europe to shape AI in a way that uplifts rather than diminishes human life.
Eight Guiding Principles for EU AI Policy
To operationalise their vision, the bishops laid out eight principles they strongly encourage the EU and its Member States to implement and promote internationally:
- Human dignity and human agency must remain paramount.
- The common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, care for creation and justice must guide technological innovation.
- Responsibility, transparency and accountability must accompany AI.
- AI must not become a source of discrimination, exclusion or manipulation.
- AI must not diminish or displace the uniqueness of the human person, and human beings must not be reduced to data or commodities.
- The digital and technological commons require responsible governance.
- Democracy and the rule of law must be protected.
- AI must contribute to peace and human fraternity.
These principles echo the encyclical’s insistence that “Artificial Intelligence must remain a means at the service of the human person, the common good and peace. Its future must be shaped not only by what technology can do, but by what human dignity, responsibility, solidarity and fraternity require.”
Call for Leadership and International Cooperation
The bishops urged the EU to assume a leadership role in AI governance, acting “with urgency, ambition and responsibility” to strengthen its digital capacities and to promote a genuinely human‑centred vision of AI research, design and development. They stressed that this responsibility must be shared across European institutions, businesses, intermediary organisations, educational communities and citizens. Furthermore, the EU should play a positive and leading role in international cooperation, ensuring respect for human rights, preventing harmful uses of technology and promoting equitable access to AI’s benefits. As the declaration puts it, “According to the bishops, the EU should also play a positive and leading role in international cooperation and AI governance, ensuring respect for human rights, preventing harmful uses of technology and promoting equitable access to its benefits.”
Presentation of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Magnifica humanitas
The encyclical’s Brussels presentation was a centrepiece of the assembly. H.E. Mgr Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See, delivered a keynote speech that reflected on the implications of AI for the Church, culture and human dignity. Following his address, a panel discussion featured MEP Antonella Sberna (Vice‑President of the European Parliament, responsible for Article 17 TFEU), MEP Michael McNamara (Co‑Chair of the European Parliament’s AI Working Group), Ms Anna A. MacMillan (CSO & Board Member of the Domus Communis Foundation), and Mr Enrico Rubboli (Founder & CEO of Mintlayer). The dialogue was moderated by Mr Leonardo Cervera‑Navas, Secretary‑General of the European Data Protection Supervisor. The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing both in‑person and online participants to engage directly with the panellists. A video recording of the proceedings is publicly available.
Panel Discussion Highlights and Key Quotes
The panel yielded several noteworthy insights. MEP Sberna emphasized the legislative dimension, stating that “Europe must craft a regulatory framework that protects fundamental rights while fostering innovation that serves the common good.” MEP McNamara warned against unchecked market forces, noting that “if we allow AI to be driven solely by profit, we risk eroding the very democratic values we seek to uphold.” Anna MacMillan highlighted the role of civil society, asserting that “intermediary organisations have a duty to translate the concerns of ordinary citizens into concrete policy recommendations for EU institutions.” Enrico Rubboli, representing the tech sector, called for “transparent algorithms and accountability mechanisms that ensure AI systems are auditable and aligned with ethical standards.” These contributions underscored a shared conviction that AI’s trajectory must be steered by collective responsibility rather than unilateral technological determinism.
Other Assembly Dialogues: Church Mission, Women’s Organisations, Ethical Investment
Beyond AI, the assembly facilitated exchanges on pressing pastoral and social themes. The bishops met with H.Em. Card Jean‑Marc Noël Aveline to discuss the Church’s mission in Europe in light of Pope Leo XIV’s recent Apostolic Journey to France, focusing on peace promotion across the continent. Representatives from Fundación Redmadre (Maria Torrego) and Oneofuseu (Ségolène du Closel) shared best practices for conveying the needs of women and men confronting family, pregnancy and life‑related challenges to EU institutions. Another significant dialogue involved Jean‑Baptiste de Franssu, President of the Collegial Board of the Collège des Bernardins and former head of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), who explored ethical and sustainable investment strategies that combine financial returns with positive societal, environmental and governance impacts, especially amid current geopolitical tensions.
Message of Prayer and Support to Pope Leo XIV
During their autumn Assembly, the bishops conveyed a telegram of prayer and support to Pope Leo XIV following his recent surgery. The message, transmitted through H.E. Mgr Bernardito Cleopas Auza, Apostolic Nuncio to the EU, read:
“Most Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, as bishops of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), gathered in Brussels for our autumn Assembly, we wish to convey to you our warmest wishes for a speedy recovery following your surgery. We have followed the news of these past days with deep concern and prayer. We will continue to accompany you with our prayers to the Lord of Life, confident that you will soon resume, with renewed energy and enthusiasm, your precious mission at the helm of the Church.”
This gesture highlighted the solidarity of the European episcopate with the Holy Father during a period of personal trial.
Mass for Europe and Looking Ahead to the Next Assembly
The assembly’s spiritual life was marked by a Mass for Europe celebrated on Thursday, 15 October at the Église Notre‑Dame des Victoires au Sablon in Brussels. Presided over by H.E. Mgr Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, and concelebrated by the participating bishops, the liturgy featured musical accompaniment by the Polish choir Domino Cantus. The Mass served as a moment of communal prayer for the continent’s wellbeing and for the ethical stewardship of emerging technologies. Looking forward, the next Plenary Assembly of COMECE is scheduled for 21‑24 April 2027 in Brussels, where the bishops will continue to deliberate on the Church’s role in shaping a Europe that upholds human dignity, solidarity and the common good in an age of rapid technological change.
🔴 DECLARATION | COMECE Assembly: EU bishops call for AI to remain at the service of the human person