Press Release

“Magnifica humanitas”, Conference

at the Pontifical Lateran University

The event is organized by the diocese of Rome and the University;

and will take place on Tuesday 9 June at 10.00 in the main lecture theatre

“Magnifica humanitas”, Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, dedicated to the safeguarding of the human person in the time of artificial intelligence, will be the focus of a conference promoted by the diocese of Rome and the Pontifical Lateran University. The event will take place on Tuesday 9 June at 10.00, in the University’s main lecture hall, in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, 4.

Cardinal Vicar Baldassare Reina, Grand Chancellor of the University, will introduce the conference, which will then continue with a speech by Archbishop Alfonso Amarante, Rector of the Lateran University, on “The structure and language of ‘Magnifica humanitas’”. Father Francesco Cosentino, professor of theology at the Pontifical Lateran University, will then take the floor to address the topic “Babel or Jerusalem? The anthropological thought of ‘Magnifica humanitas’”. Father Andrea Pizzichini, of the Alfonsiana Academy, will speak on “Artificial intelligence: challenge or opportunity?” and Francesco Cicione, founder and president of Entopan, will reflect on “Building a unarmed AI”.

The episcopal Council, in a letter to the diocese, invites participation, emphasizing that the encyclical is “a valuable magisterial pronouncement for interpreting the signs of the times and the many cultural, anthropological and technological challenges that lie ahead. We will explore the text of the encyclical with a view to its widespread dissemination in the parishes and various communities of our diocese”.

PARTICIPATION PROCEDURE: Journalists and media operators who wish to participate must apply, no later than 24 hours before the event, exclusively via the Holy See Press Office accreditation system, at: press.vatican.va/accreditamenti

5 June 2026

Giulia Rocchi

Press and Social Communications Office of the Vicariate of Rome,

tel. +390669886343/150; +393393749085

e-mail stampa@diocesidiroma.it; giulia.rocchi@diocesidiroma.it