America’s next 250 years

This month, our nation celebrates 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence: a milestone anniversary for a nation forged in the fires of revolution and tested in its resolve to uphold the promise of freedom and opportunity.

We celebrate not only our Founding Fathers, but also our nation’s whole history, written by the hand of God our Father as a part of the greater human story

Pope Leo, in his encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” helps us to process this milestone moment when he reminds us that “each generation inherits the task of shaping its own era, of guiding history to become a place where the dignity of every person is safeguarded, justice is promoted and fraternity is made possible.” (Par. 1)

Two hundred and fifty years after that decisive gathering in Philadelphia, we who live in Oklahoma and across this great land are challenged to look 250 years into the future and cast a vision for our nation, a vision inspired by the Gospel.

The Holy Father helps us formulate that vision by juxtaposing two biblical images: the Tower of Babel and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Babel represents a society of pride and self-sufficiency, seeking power and domination over nature and over other nations. Babel stands in defiance of God, grasping for greatness despite his generosity. But, Jerusalem was rebuilt through prayer, shared responsibility and a commitment to the common good.

As we look to the future of our nation, we’re invited to ask: What are we building together? Are we building a “Tower of Babel” – merely a sign of our own power and domination – or are we working together to build up Jerusalem, to build the Kingdom that Jesus himself proclaims?

While technology has changed drastically in 250 years, the questions remain the same. As Pope Leo reminds us, “the primary choice is not between a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to technology, but rather between constructing Babel or rebuilding Jerusalem.” (Par. 9)

In the next 250 years, will our nation be defined by competition, individualism, division and war? Or will it be defined by solidarity, respect for human dignity, peace and a shared commitment to justice and the common good?

America is no stranger to both internal and external threats. Our nation has weathered invasion and war and has been scarred by civil conflict. We have seen multiple economic collapses, wrestled with deep divisions over race, and suffered the scourge of domestic and international terrorist attacks.

Thankfully, America has proven itself particularly adept at adapting to changing times. From an agrarian republic to an industrial powerhouse to a leader in the digital age, our nation’s resilience has rested not simply on innovation, but on the conviction that freedom is best exercised in service of something greater than ourselves.

In 2026, Pope Leo challenges us to consider how artificial intelligence will play into this remarkable story of America’s resilience and innovation. How will we navigate this technological revolution while still protecting those inalienable rights to which our forefathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor?

“True progress always stems from a heart open to others, an intelligence willing to listen and a will that seeks what unites rather than what separates” (Par. 15). We must use this new technology in light of our shared call to holiness and our preferential option for the poor. The Holy Father calls for transparent responsibility, especially considering how it will affect the poor, the vulnerable and the oppressed.

Our nation must be a leader in responding to Pope Leo’s call to “disarm AI.” We must lead the world not only in innovation, but also wisdom. To disarm AI “does not mean rejecting technology, but preventing it from dominating humanity” (Par. 110).

It means resisting the temptation to treat technological superiority as an end in itself and instead fostering innovation that is marked by “transparency, responsibility toward affected communities,” and a genuine concern for the common good.

AI already is posing threats to our great nation. In some quarters, it can become a powerful vehicle for disinformation, deepfakes, political manipulation and the erosion of public trust. Pope Leo observes that AI can “construct distorted narratives and blur the boundaries between truth and falsehood” (Par. 132), threatening the shared pursuit of truth that is essential to democracy itself.

AI threatens labor markets and, in turn, the dignity and value of human work. More individually, AI can diminish our interior freedom by exploiting our vulnerabilities and reducing us to mere consumers.

Considering these threats and our commitment to “liberty and justice for all,” we are reminded of the famous words of the French diplomat Alexis de Tocqueville: “Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.”

Nonetheless, Pope Leo encourages us, “Let us not be afraid to get our hands dirty on the ‘construction site’ of our time” (Par. 16). As our nation begins its next 250 years, may we have the wisdom and courage to build not another Babel, but a civilization of love, where truth prevails over falsehood, the common good triumphs over self-interest, and the God-given dignity of every human person remains the foundation upon which our future is built.