Magnifica Humanitas seeks to protect Africa from new forms of slavery

Paul Samasumo – Vatican City

On 25 May 2026, which coincidentally is also celebrated as Africa Day, Pope Leo launched his inaugural encyclical, in which he made the apology.

The Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Bukoba who remains active into the day-to-day activities of Catholic Radio Mbiu recently spoke to Vatican News.

In the footsteps of Leo XIII

“Besides my pastoral activities, I am a historian and I teach Church History, both in class and on local radio and TV.  One of the popes I admire is Pope Leo XIII because, at a given time in history, he went against the prevailing trend and brought the Church to address issues that were important to the people of his time, namely the Industrial Revolution. When our current Pope took that name, I was excited, and now he is taking the same path with his first encyclical,” the prelate said.

Magnifica Humanitas is the first encyclical by Pope Leo XIV, focusing on safeguarding the human person in an era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The encyclical is a modern update on aspects of Catholic Social Teaching, drawing parallels between the 19th-century industrial revolution and today’s digital transformation.

“I have read the encyclical ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ several times. The issues addressed are relevant and current to our time. In teaching Church History, being an African, I always felt uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassed when teaching about the slave trade, because of the Church’s past support for slavery. It gives great relief and consolation that the Holy Father has acknowledged the injustices of the past,” said Bishop Kilaini.

Bishop Method Kilaini

Wounded dignity of the person

In the encyclical, Pope Leo XIV addressed the Catholic Church’s historical role in the slave trade. He acknowledged that while past events cannot be judged anachronistically without considering the moral criteria of their time, the Church must still recognie its immense delay in condemning the practice.

Asking for pardon, Pope Loe XIV, writes in No. 176 of the encyclical: ‘It is impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many in stark contrast to their immeasurable dignity as persons infinitely loved by the Lord. For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for pardon.’”

Though not coordinated, Pope Leo XIV’s historic apology came two months after the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared in a resolution that the transatlantic slave trade was the gravest crime against humanity.

Bishop Kilaini explained that Pope Leo XIV’s apology brings to mind the teaching of Pope Leo XIII, who reminded Church historians that it was not necessary to hide the trials and faults of the Church’s children, and even of her ministers, which they have brought upon the Spouse of Christ during the course of centuries. Pope Leo XIII wrote this in his 1899 encyclical Depuis le Jour, when he outlined specific guidelines for the proper theological and intellectual education of priests.

Protection from slavery

Bishop Kilaini continued, “In Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV follows in the footsteps of his predecessors when faced with an invention that has a double-edged sword to do good but also to destroy.  With the progress of film, radio and television, Pope Pius XII issued Miranda Prorsus in 1957; Pope St. John Paul II wrote about the Internet in 2002, and Pope Francis spoke about communication, mentioning Artificial Intelligence, “ he said.

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“In the age of AI, the human person should maintain his dignity, truth, and freedom, and not be artificially manipulated. For Africa, this encyclical is a big gift, as it protects us from new forms of slavery and domination by a few people who may not necessarily have a good conscience.