What happened
Pope Leo XIV received a green glass sphere, known as the Sphere of Humanity, during his General Audience at the Vatican on September 2. The sphere, crafted from Murano glass, contains handwritten selections from the Pope's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, and symbolizes the need to address the growing power of artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity.
The gift was presented by the nonprofit organization Saint Peter for Humanity, which is bringing together around 70 figures from various fields to shape the Codex Humanitatis, an initiative aimed at confronting pressing questions surrounding the AI revolution. The discussions are expected to cover topics such as responsibility for AI systems, human involvement in critical decisions, and the protection of children and families in an increasingly automated world.
The Pope has previously expressed concerns that technology is advancing faster than society can establish meaningful safeguards, and has stressed the importance of identifying who remains accountable throughout the creation and use of artificial intelligence. The Sphere of Humanity is seen as a symbol of the need to define what it means to be human in a world where technology is becoming increasingly embedded in everyday life.
