On Monday, May 25th, our Nation celebrates Memorial Day. On that same day the Vatican will release Pope Leo’s first encyclical.

Lots of people confuse Memorial Day or conflate it with Veteran’s Day. It is the latter which honors all the men and women who have served our nation in the military. It is the former that remembers and honors all those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is a difference of which I receive weekly reminders as I am honored to serve veteran families during the internment of their loved ones at Quantico National Cemetery.

Lots of people are confused about papal encyclicals. While primarily addressed to the Church’s bishops, modern encyclicals are published globally to guide the faithful and address societal issues. They are a powerful expression of the pope’s “ordinary magisterium” (everyday teaching authority). While highly authoritative and significant, they do not inherently constitute “infallible” (ex-cathedra) statements.

The title of the Encyclical is Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificent Humanity”). A major theme of the document will be to reaffirm values, to ensure that we don’t lose values and sight of the fundamental dignity of people in the face of technology. I understand that some part of the encyclical will address Artificial Intelligence. It will be interesting to see his teaching on how this technology impact the dignity of people.