Pope Leo XIV issued an apology on May 25, 2026, for the Holy See’s historical role in legitimizing slavery and for failing to condemn it for centuries. He described the Vatican’s past actions as a "wound in Christian memory." This marks the first time a pope has publicly acknowledged and apologized for the complicity of past popes in granting European sovereigns the authority to enslave non-Christians.
In his first encyclical, titled "Magnifica Humanitas," Pope Leo XIV also called for regulation of artificial intelligence, linking the historical slave trade to new forms of slavery and colonialism emerging from technological advancements. He expressed sorrow for the suffering endured by enslaved individuals, stating, "For this, in the name of the church, I sincerely ask for pardon."
The apology was welcomed by historians and activists, including Shannen Dee Williams, who noted that the Catholic Church has historically been involved in white supremacy and that Black Catholics have long awaited acknowledgment of the church's role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Pope Leo XIV referenced historical papal bulls from the 15th century that authorized the enslavement of non-Christians and acknowledged that the church was slow to condemn slavery. He emphasized that while the church has affirmed the dignity of every human being, it took a long time for both society and the church to denounce slavery.