Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Paris for his first official papal visit to France in 18 years. Received by President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, the pontiff began his four-day trip with a speech focusing on the existential concerns of scientific progress, life, and human rights. During the visit, he also aimed to repair the Catholic Church's standing following abuse scandals and shared a vision for the future of Europe.
A central theme of the Pope's papacy, the risks of artificial intelligence were highlighted throughout the visit, including a speech at UNESCO. Pope Leo warned against the possibility of a paradise of machines that could invade and condition daily lives, potentially undermining humanity. He stressed that AI and other technologies must remain at the service of people rather than becoming instruments of domination and injustice.
To combat these risks, the Pope urged the world to reconsider AI development and called for stronger safeguards and global rules to ensure technology does not displace or destroy humans. He emphasized an urgent need for education in ethical discernment to help people recognize what is morally right. Beyond technology, Pope Leo questioned what it means to be human in an age marked by a nuclear arms race and other threats to life.
Addressing the French nation, the Pope criticized the limited legalization of assisted dying and urged France to be a tireless champion of peace. He further noted that authentic secularity should not exclude religion as part of his broader message during the visit.