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Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica humanitas will be officially presented in Brussels on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, during a high-level public event organised by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) at the Chapel for Europe, from 19:00 to 21:00 (CET). The event will feature contributions from EU and Church representatives, as well as experts in Artificial Intelligence. Registration is mandatory. Places are limited. Register now | Poster
Programme & Registration
EU policymakers, representatives of the European institutions, civil society organisations, other EU stakeholders and members of the general public and media are encouraged to register for this event, which will offer an opportunity to reflect on the relevance of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical letter for the future of Europe and the European project, as well as its implications for EU policymaking.
This high-level event will take place on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at the Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlant 22, 1000 Brussels, from 19:00 to 21:00. It will feature contributions from H.E. Mgr Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See, and Michael McNamara, Member of the European Parliament. Further speakers will be announced in the coming days on this page. Register now
Evening Reception
The presentation of the Encyclical will be followed by a reception open to all registered participants, offering an opportunity for informal exchange and discussion.
The Encyclical Letter Magnifica humanitas
Magnifica humanitas is Pope Leo XIV’s first Encyclical. It was published on 25 May 2026 and it focuses on safeguarding the human person in the age of Artificial Intelligence; it reflects on human dignity, work, social justice and the common good in the face of rapid technological change. Its message is particularly relevant to Europe, as the EU seeks to shape the development and use of AI in ways that uphold human dignity, protect fundamental rights and serve the common good. Read the Encyclical and related material
COMECE Assembly
The presentation of Magnifica humanitas will take place in the context of the 2026 Autumn Plenary Assembly of COMECE, to be held from 14 to 16 October under the theme “Renewing the European project in the light of Magnifica humanitas”. The Assembly will bring together the bishops delegated to COMECE by the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of the EU Member States.
On this occasion, Mairead McGuinness, recently appointed as the EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU, will join the Assembly to discuss ways to enhance the promotion of FoRB outside the EU. The bishops will also welcome Jean-Baptiste de Franssu, President of the Collegial Board of the Collège des Bernardins, with whom they will exchange views on financing the common good in Europe’s new geopolitical context.
Mass for Europe
On Thursday, 15 October 2026, the bishops of the European Union will celebrate a Mass for Europe at the Church of Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon in Brussels. The Mass will be presided  by H.E. Mgr Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE. Participation in the Mass for Europe is open to the public and does not require registration.
Media participation
Journalists and media professionals who would like to participate in the presentation of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Magnifica humanitas are encouraged to register as participants and to contact the COMECE Press Office with specific requests for interviews or other media enquiries. The COMECE Plenary Assembly itself is a closed-door event. Journalists and media professionals wishing to cover the Assembly and interview the bishops are strongly encouraged to contact the COMECE Press Office in advance.
Official public presentation of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica humanitas
Wednesday, 14 October 2026 – from 19:00 to 21:00
Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlant 22, 1000 Brussels
Registration mandatory | Places are limited | Register now
