El papa León XIV publicará este lunes su primera encíclica, Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnífica Humanidad”), un documento centrado en las cuestiones éticas que plantea la inteligencia artificial, en línea con una larga tradición de pontífices que fijaron posición ante transformaciones científicas, sociales y tecnológicas.

La encíclica será la primera de su pontificado, una suerte de manifiesto con el que los papas suelen pronunciarse sobre grandes temas de su tiempo.

Con este texto, León XIV se sumará a una tradición que atraviesa más de un siglo y en la que distintos pontífices intervinieron frente a cambios de gran impacto, desde la Revolución Industrial hasta la expansión de internet y las redes sociales.

La primera gran respuesta estructurada de la Iglesia ante una transformación tecnológica llegó a fines del siglo XIX. En 1891, en plena Revolución Industrial, León XIII publicó la encíclica Rerum Novarum (“De las cosas nuevas”).

Frente a la urbanización acelerada, el crecimiento de las fábricas y la precariedad creciente del proletariado, el papa buscó proponer un camino entre el capitalismo liberal y el socialismo revolucionario. El documento defendió tanto la propiedad privada como los derechos de los trabajadores, en particular su capacidad de organizarse colectivamente. La encíclica sentó además las bases de una doctrina social católica construida sobre principios como la dignidad de la persona, la solidaridad y el bien común.

Poco después de su elección en mayo de 2025, León XIV explicó que eligió su nombre en referencia a León XIII y a esa doctrina. Su nueva encíclica, además, fue firmada el 15 de mayo, exactamente 135 años después de Rerum Novarum.

En el siglo XX, la Iglesia enfrentó otra revolución: el auge de los medios de comunicación masivos. A mediados del siglo pasado, la expansión de la prensa, la radio, el cine y la televisión transformó profundamente la circulación de la información.

En ese contexto, el Concilio Vaticano II (1962-1965), una etapa de reformas y apertura dentro de la Iglesia, adoptó en 1963 el decreto Inter Mirifica (“Entre las cosas maravillosas”). Por primera vez, esos nuevos medios fueron considerados una cuestión central de la vida social y cultural. La Iglesia reconoció su papel en la formación de la opinión pública y reclamó un uso responsable, tanto por parte de quienes producen contenidos como de las audiencias.

El texto insistió además en la necesidad de contar con información confiable y completa, y pidió evitar cualquier “daño espiritual”.

Ese documento marcó un cambio importante dentro del Vaticano: en lugar de mantenerse a distancia, la Iglesia optó por involucrarse en esos nuevos espacios y alentó, entre otras iniciativas, la creación de medios católicos.

Ese mismo año, otro escenario de crisis global llevó al papado a pronunciarse sobre la amenaza nuclear.

Publicada en abril de 1963, pocos meses después de la Crisis de los Misiles en Cuba de octubre de 1962, la encíclica Pacem in Terris (“Paz en la Tierra”), de Juan XXIII, apareció en un momento en que el mundo estaba al borde de una guerra nuclear.

En nombre de la “justicia… la recta razón y la consideración de la dignidad y de la vida humanas”, el pontífice pidió el fin de la carrera armamentista entre Estados Unidos y la Unión Soviética. El documento sostuvo además que “las armas nucleares deben ser prohibidas. Debe alcanzarse un acuerdo general sobre un programa adecuado de desarme, con un sistema eficaz de control mutuo”.

Décadas más tarde, la informática e internet abrieron una nueva etapa de transformación.

Desde la década de 1990, la digitalización de los intercambios y la aparición de una esfera pública global marcaron una nueva fase, en la que el Vaticano volvió a intervenir. Juan Pablo II consideró internet un medio inédito de comunicación y difusión. La Iglesia alentó una presencia activa en línea, aunque al mismo tiempo pidió un uso responsable.

Benedicto XVI profundizó esa reflexión y subrayó riesgos propios del mundo digital, como la fragmentación de las relaciones, el predominio de la inmediatez y la dificultad para distinguir información confiable.

Con el auge de las redes sociales, el Vaticano también advirtió sobre la polarización del debate y la difusión de contenidos engañosos, especialmente durante el pontificado de Francisco (2013-2025).

Con la encíclica Laudato Si’ (“Alabado seas”), publicada en 2015, el papa argentino también criticó los excesos de un modelo tecnocrático y económico considerado responsable de la crisis ecológica.

Con Magnifica Humanitas, León XIV volverá a fijar posición sobre una transformación tecnológica de alcance global, esta vez centrada en las cuestiones éticas que plantea la inteligencia artificial, en continuidad con una tradición papal de intervención ante los grandes cambios de cada época.

(Con información de AFP)

EXCLUSIVE: Bishop Robert Barron said he has been urging Catholics on the left to stop the «demonization» of the Trump administration, even when it comes to highly contentious issues such as immigration and border security.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Barron, arguably the most prominent Catholic prelate in America, said that despite criticism within the church of the administration’s immigration policy, «there are darn good reasons, moral reasons, for being concerned about an open border.»

«I don’t think it’s fair to say to a conservative, to a Republican, you’re just being difficult and anti-humanitarian,» he said, adding that «at times, the Catholic left is great for calling for dialogue and bridge-building — until it comes to conservatives.»

He said that for many Catholics on the left, «when it comes to conservatives, just tell them what they should be doing and saying.»

«No, no, let’s build bridges of conversation. That’s a role the Church can play,» he said. «What I don’t want from the church is a kind of demonization of the Trump administration.»

PROMINENT CATHOLIC BISHOP SLAMS ANTI-ICE AGITATORS WHO DISRUPTED MN CHURCH SERVICE: ‘UNACCEPTABLE’

«If there are points of disagreement, whether it’s immigration or it’s the [Iran] war or whatever, let’s talk about it, let’s talk.»

Barron said he has been trying to encourage dialogue on both the immigration and Iran issues. Though he admitted he has «not always met with success, frankly, from the ecclesial side.»

Despite this, Barron said he «would like those conversations to continue.»

The bishop revealed he was deeply moved by a passionate appeal for stricter border security from border czar Tom Homan during a recent White House call. He said he was participating in it as part of his work on President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission.

Barron said Homan, who he noted is a Catholic, «spoke with great passion… and he said he’s come out of retirement twice to engage this issue.»

«Why? He said that because he’s seen the terrible destruction caused by an open border. And he was talking about, especially human trafficking, the human trafficking of children, the disappearance of children we’ve lost track of completely in this process.»

POPE LEO SAYS COUNTRIES HAVE RIGHT TO CONTROL THEIR BORDERS, ADVOCATES FOR HUMANE TREATMENT OF MIGRANTS

White House border czar Tom Homan holds a press conference along the border wall between San Diego, Calif., and Tijuana, Mexico, on Dec. 13, 2025, to announce increased security on the southwest border. (Reuters/Mike Blake)

«He was saying, we can’t simply fall for the simplistic view that an open border is humanitarian, that an open border is kind to the stranger… an open border also produces enormous moral problems,» said Barron.

«You could tell that it was affecting him very deeply, very personally,» he said. «I found that very moving.»

«It’s not just, well, the bad guy, Republicans, who want to enforce immigration laws. It’s Republicans for very good moral reasons who want to enforce immigration law,» he said.

At the same time, Barron emphasized that there are «values on both sides» of the debate.

He said that even through Trump’s feud with Pope Leo XIV, he has encouraged real dialogue and conversation between the Vatican and Washington. He said he has met with «a lot of Catholics inside the Trump administration who are interested in bringing the church’s teaching to bear.»

EXCLUSIVE: CATHOLIC BISHOPS CHIDED FOR SOWING ‘CONFUSION’ ON DEPORTATION STANCE

Pope Leo XIV met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Vatican City; Rubio has been lauded by President Donald Trump as someone who is able to bridge gaps in diplomatic relations unlike any other. (Vatican Media/Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

He posited that «part of the problem in the Trump-pope battle was that the president was treating the pope too much as a politician.»

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«Popes, I think, are supposed to use the moral structure of the church’s teaching to move prudential judgment in the right direction,» he explained. «Now what’s a president’s responsibility? His responsibility is to make those prudential judgments.«

«Now here’s what I recommend: I think the leading Catholics inside the Trump administration, I mean people like JD Vance, like Marco Rubio, like Brian Burch, the [Vatican] ambassador, should sit down with their counterparts in the Vatican and they should have a real conversation about this.

«The church provides a moral framework. Terrific. Now, let’s have a real conversation with those whose job it is to make that decision but have it conditioned by this moral framework, that would be more fruitful.»

At least 23 people were killed and about 70 others wounded in a major attack Sunday morning after a suicide bomber targeted a passenger train in Pakistan, according to The Associated Press (AP).

The assault — in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Balochistan province — occurred when an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a railway line as a passenger train passed, causing two train cars to overturn and catch fire. The region has long been the site of a low-level but persistent insurgency involving separatist and militant groups.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group fighting for the province’s secession from Pakistan, reportedly claimed responsibility, saying it was targeting a train carrying security personnel.

The Times of India reported that the train was carrying army personnel and family members traveling from Quetta to Peshawar for the Eid holidays; AP reported more generally that the BLA said it targeted a train carrying security personnel. The area is also known for having a strong security presence.

SUICIDE CAR BOMBER ATTACKS SCHOOL BUS IN PAKISTAN, KILLING AT LEAST 5 PEOPLE

The blast reportedly sent shockwaves through the area.

According to witness accounts and images circulating on social media, the force of the explosion caused two train cars to overturn and burst into flames, sending thick black smoke into the sky, The AP said. Nearby buildings were also heavily damaged, and more than a dozen parked vehicles were impacted, the outlet added.

Several victims were reportedly transported to local hospitals. Among the wounded, about 20 were reported to be in critical condition, according to doctors cited by The AP.

PHOTOS CAPTURE DEVASTATION AFTER CHILE TRUCK EXPLOSION KILLS AT LEAST 4, DAMAGES AT LEAST 50 VEHICLES

A volunteer assists a survivor scaling the side of a severely damaged, overturned train car after a reported militant attack struck a rail line in Quetta, Pakistan, on May 24, 2026. (Arshad Butt/AP Photo)

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it a «cowardly act of terrorism» and saying that those responsible would be brought to justice.

«I strongly condemn the heinous bomb explosion near Chaman Phatak, Quetta, which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and left many others injured. Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan. We remain steadfast in our determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,» he said.

«I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured. The entire nation stands in solidarity with the people of Balochistan in this hour of grief.»

INDIA VOWS TO HUNT TERRORISTS ‘TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH’ AS TENSIONS WITH PAKISTAN RISE AFTER KASHMIR ATTACK

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti alleged that the group is supported by Indian-sponsored proxies aimed at destabilizing Pakistan. The two countries have long been locked in a bitter dispute over territorial claims in Kashmir, though India has consistently denied such accusations.

«The terrorists of Fitna Al-Hindustan are proving their savagery by targeting innocent civilians, women, and children,» Bugti said, describing the group as «evil originating from India.»

Bystanders attend to victims on a railway track following reports of a deadly suicide vehicle bombing targeting a passenger train in Quetta, Pakistan, on May 24, 2026. (Arshad Butt/AP Photo)

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«Those who shed the blood of innocent people deserve no leniency. Let the enemy hear this: there will be no safe haven left for terrorists in Balochistan. We will hunt down the terrorists, their facilitators, and their masterminds one by one and bring them to justice, and this war will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.»

The BLA has increasingly carried out large-scale suicide operations targeting Pakistani security forces and infrastructure in Quetta, according to The Times of India.

In 2024, at least 26 people, including soldiers, were killed in a suicide bombing at a train station in Balochistan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.