Madrid, June 7, 2026 – Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on Artificial Intelligence, titled ‘Magnifica Humanitas’, has become a publishing sensation, selling out completely at the 84th Madrid Book Fair. The extraordinary demand has been attributed to the Pope’s ongoing visit to the Spanish capital, which has significantly boosted sales of religious literature.
Unprecedented Demand for Papal Encyclical
The first and second editions of ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ were quickly snapped up by eager readers. David Martinez from Ediciones Palabra reported to Europa Press, “The encyclical has been sold out for hours.” His publishing house had brought 200 copies of the encyclical to the fair, all of which were purchased rapidly.
The sentiment was echoed by booksellers from Paulinas editorial, who confirmed selling 349 encyclicals during the fair. Similarly, San Pablo editorial also ran out of stock, though a bookseller named Susana mentioned they were “constantly restocking” to meet the high demand.
Inaugural Character and Augustinian Influence Drive Interest
David Zazo from Editorial Edice highlighted the encyclical’s “inaugural character” as a key factor in its popularity. He also noted a sustained interest in works by Saint Augustine since last year, given Pope Leo XIV’s Augustinian background, further fueling the demand for the Pope’s writings.
Pope Leo XIV’s Message: Disarming AI
The encyclical’s central theme revolves around the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence. Pope Leo XIV has emphatically stated that “Artificial Intelligence must be disarmed” of its potential for “domination, exclusion, and death.” This powerful message resonates deeply within a society increasingly grappling with the rapid advancements and societal impact of AI.
Papal Visit Boosts Religious Book Sales
The Pope’s visit to Madrid, coinciding with the book fair, has created a unique synergy, leading to a surge in sales across the religious literature sector. Booksellers have unanimously observed this trend, indicating a renewed interest in spiritual and theological topics among the public.
Broader Impact of the Papal Visit
Pope Leo XIV’s visit has been a significant event for Madrid, drawing large crowds and generating widespread discussion. Earlier, the Pope addressed over a million pilgrims, urging Spain to once again become a “school of faith.” He also led a procession of the Blessed Sacrament through Calle Alcalá, which was transformed into a floral carpet for the occasion. The visit has also seen prominent figures, such as actor Antonio Banderas, express their faith, with Banderas confessing to being “a victim of God’s spell” to the Pope.
Ensuring Accessibility and Future Availability
Despite the current sell-out, publishing houses are actively working to ensure that ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ remains accessible to all who wish to read it. Continuous restocking efforts are underway to address the high demand and ensure that the Pope’s important message reaches a wider audience.
The overwhelming reception of ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ at the Madrid Book Fair underscores the public’s keen interest in the intersection of faith, ethics, and cutting-edge technology, as articulated by Pope Leo XIV.
Source: https://www.telemadrid.es/visita-del-papa-a-madrid/La-enciclica-del-Papa-sobre-la-IA-agotada-en-la-Feria-del-Libro-de-Madrid-0-2895910388–20260607082530.html
