The pope’s new encyclical published on May 15, 2026 is focused on artificial intelligence, human dignity, and moral responsibility. It calls for ethical regulation of AI and increased international cooperation such as between governments, corporations and religious leaders to ensure the rapidly growing technology benefits humanity, not harms it.
Sounds extremely favorable, don’t you think? Anyway, many people are actually concerned about the potential dangers of AI due to deepfake deception, surveillance, job loss, misinformation, and the growing power of internet corporations.
But students of Bible prophecy see something deeper.
As prophesied, the Vatican is rapidly claiming global moral authority not only in religion, but also in economy, climate change, migration, politics, social ethics, and now, artificial intelligence. Even the 2nd beast, that is America, knows the Vatican is the moral authority of the world.
Interestingly, the papal documents use the phrase “the common good” 82 times (hit F3 or Ctrl F when you click the link). That sounds harmless, right? Who doesn’t want world peace, stability, and solutions to global problems? But those who have eyes to see, notice how this phrase has been connected to civil legislation and religious authority in the past.
One of the most important historical examples is the famous 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII issued during the Industrial Revolution, where he addressed labor conditions, worker’s rights, economic justice, and social order in a period of massive technological and social change. Paragraph #41 emphasized the following:
- The obligation of the cessation from work and labor on Sundays and certain holy days.
- The rest from labor is not to be understood as mere giving way to idleness.
- Sunday rest; a rest sanctioned by God’s great law of the Ancient Covenant-“Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
Interestingly, the new AI encyclical draw a direct comparisons with Rerum Novarum, because both documents address humanity during a major technological revolution. Rerum Novarum promoted Sunday rest as vital for worker’s welfare, family stability, social order, and the good of society. Sunday legislation was often presented not just as a religious matter but as social and moral need for all.
The same principle is stated by The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
“In respecting religious liberty and the common good of all, Christians should seek recognition of Sundays and the church’s holy days as legal holidays… We have the power and the people to embark on this movement — a movement that will benefit all Americans.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2188
Also notice what Pope John Paul II said:
CHURCH AND STATE CAN COOPERATE, SAYS POPE
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 17, 2005 (Zenit.org). Pope John Paul II believes that the Church and State can and must collaborate in their service to the person and the common good with relations of “autonomy and difference”.
Do you see the connection now?
- the “common good,”
- public policy,
- church and state cooperation,
- legal enforcement,
- and Sunday observance.
Bible prophecy warned us that the final crisis will involve religion influencing civil power under the appearance of benefiting society. The truth is, religious and civil powers would unite in the last days concerning worship and obedience.
Revelation 13:3 says “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”
Pope Leo’s new AI encyclical is more than just technology.
As AI becomes more powerful, there will be growing fear and uncertainty. In fact, some futurists predict AI could become extremely powerful around 2027-2028, possibly replacing jobs rapidly or even surpassing human control. In times of crisis, people tend to look for strong moral leadership and global solutions. This sets the stage for religious bodies to step forward to provide moral control “for the common good.” Many people will not see the danger in movements presented as protecting families, reducing chaos, promoting morality, helping the environment or restoring social unity. But prophecy reveals that underneath this outward goodness comes the issue of authority.
The Real Issue Is Authority
Yes the real issue in the final crisis is worship and authority. The Bible says:
“And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark…” – Revelation 13:17
The mark isn’t technology. The mark is no other than Sunday laws when they are enforced! And the Vatican admitted it!
“Sunday is our MARK of authority… the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.” – Catholic Record of London, Ontario Sept 1, 1923
And yes, modern technology gives the infrastructure for worldwide control for “no buying, no selling.” AI, digital IDs, biometric systems, cashless society, vaccine passports, global surveillance, etc.. now make global enforcement possible. At the same time, we are now hearing an increasingly “religious call” for “moral unity” (false unity/ecumenism) and social cooperation “for the common good.” This combination should not be ignored. A religious call without obedience to God’s law, especially the 7th day Sabbath, and repentance for sin is deceptive leading to destruction of soul.
We are nearing the end, prophecy is being fulfilled exactly as the Bible foretold.
Are you ready for the final test? Are you sure?
Truth is truth!
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