Anthropic co-founder to present AI encyclical alongside Pope Leo XIV

The Vatican just announced that Pope Leo XIV will unveil Magnifica humanitas on May 25, a major letter about protecting human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence, and yes, one of the speakers at the launch will be Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah. On paper, it sounds like a big, thoughtful meeting of religion, politics, and the future of machines. In the comments, though, the mood is less holy awe and more "wait... what exactly is going on here?"

The biggest reaction was pure suspicion. One commenter openly wondered who this event is really for: everyday Catholics, nervous elites, or big conservative buyers who might like seeing an AI company standing next to the Pope instead of looking like, in their words, "godless California hippies." Another took the darker route, saying that if giant corporations are now doing public events with religious leaders, that’s less comforting than chilling — a sign of where power is gathering. That take landed with a loud yikes.

But not everyone came armed with doom. One reader said this could be genuinely important, comparing it to the Church weighing in during the Industrial Revolution and arguing that if AI companies truly think they’ll reshape work and society, then faith leaders should absolutely join the conversation. And of course, the thread had jokes: one person snarked that the encyclical would probably be "100 AI written, with guidance, natch." Even the headline got dragged, with a commenter clarifying that Olah is presenting alongside the Pope, not secretly co-writing doctrine. Community verdict: part curiosity, part conspiracy board, part comedy special.