Conversation on ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ with Sam Sawyer, SJ
Creighton University will host two events featuring presenters from America Media, a Catholic ministry and multimedia organization sponsored by the Jesuits of the United States and Canada.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, the Rev. Sam Sawyer, SJ, editor-in-chief of America Media, will present “A Conversation on Pope Leo’s Magnifica Humanitas” at 7 p.m. in the Harper Center’s Ahmanson Ballroom on Creighton’s Omaha campus. Published on May 25, 2026, Magnifica Humanitas is the first encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIV and addresses the theme of “safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.”
The second event, “Next Steps: Spirituality and Vocation for Graduating College Students,” will be presented by Molly Cahill, associate director of digital strategy for America Media, at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, in Room 105 of the Skutt Student Center on Creighton’s Omaha campus.
Please register to attend these events.
Fr. Sawyer will be joined by Daniel DiLeo, PhD, associate professor of cultural and social studies and director of the Justice and Peace Studies Program; and Nicole Reibe, PhD, assistant professor of theology. Michael Paulus Jr., MLIS, DMIN, University librarian and executive director of the Institute for Adaptive Intelligence, will moderate the discussion.
Fr. Sawyer believes this is an important time to have this conversation.
“The topic is more pressing than ever, as Pope Leo addresses arguably the most consequential topic in our world today, at a time when Catholics are looking for a voice to follow,” he says. “He offers us an example of how to participate in the 'process of shared discernment' that is the Church’s social teaching. That challenge may well prove to be both more lasting and more rewarding than simply applying that teaching to the question of artificial intelligence.”
Paulus agrees.
“Artificial intelligence is radically changing our lives and world,” he says. “Magnifica Humanitas provides a comprehensive, critical, constructive, and — most importantly — a humanistic framework for engaging with AI.”
Paulus also notes that the encyclical identifies how AI intersects with significant social, technological and ethical questions.
“It is an important resource for both reflection and action,” he says. “Magnifica Humanitas can help each of us become what the encyclical calls us to be: wise architects of hope working to preserve the grandeur of humanity in the age of AI.”
“We hope that this conversation will inspire attendees to think critically about issues of AI and Catholic Social Teaching,” says Fr. Sawyer, “but more importantly, about how they can thoughtfully give attention to both their own spirituality and the most pertinent, tangible happenings in our world.”
The panelists will take questions at the event. Questions may be submitted in advance as well.
The public is also welcome to celebrate Mission Week with Creighton at the traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit, scheduled at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at St. John’s Church on the Omaha campus, and at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Norton Ballroom on the Health Sciences Campus – Phoenix.
