Pope Leo XIV has embarked on his first official trip to France in 18 years, warning against the dangers of losing humanity in a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence. The leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics made the remarks at the presidential palace with President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing the need for education in ethical discernment. With hundreds of thousands expected to line the streets of Paris, the pope's visit has generated significant anticipation among the faithful.
The pope's trip comes at a time of tense transatlantic ties and ongoing conflicts, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In his address, Pope Leo urged France to remain a "tireless champion of peace" and multilateralism, particularly within Europe. He also stressed the importance of "authentic secularity," which should not exclude religion from the public sphere or education. This message is particularly significant in France, where politicians have often invoked the country's secularism to justify bans on religious symbols.
During his visit, Pope Leo is expected to address various issues, including the risks associated with artificial intelligence. He warned against turning "science and technology into profit-driven ventures promoting genetic manipulation, surrogacy, the trade in human organs or the possibility of arranging one's own death." This message comes after France passed legislation granting some adult patients the right to assisted dying. The pope's remarks highlight the need for careful consideration of the ethics surrounding emerging technologies.
The pope's trip to France has generated significant excitement among the faithful, with a million people expected to attend events across Paris during the first two days. The high point of the apostolic journey will be a giant mass on Saturday, led by the pontiff at Place de la Concorde and adjoining Champs-Elysees. Pope Leo will also visit Lourdes, a pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide, where he will privately meet victims of clerical sex abuse.
On Friday afternoon, Pope Leo addressed UN culture and education agency UNESCO, after its head said it saw in the pontiff an "indispensable partner" in the AI debate. He also waved to the crowds on his way to the Notre Dame cathedral in central Paris, where he was the first pope to inspect renovations following a devastating 2019 fire. The pope's visit to the cathedral is particularly significant, given its historical importance and recent restoration.
Despite France's secular nature, with only around five percent of its 69 million residents attending Catholic church regularly, the pope's visit has sparked enthusiasm among believers. Thousands have chosen to embrace the faith in recent years, with teenage and adult baptisms on the rise. The pope's mass prayer and hymns with 80,000 young believers aged 17 to 35 in a stadium in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis marked a highlight of his trip.
As Pope Leo XIV continues his trip to France, his message of caution regarding artificial intelligence and emphasis on human dignity is likely to resonate with people from all walks of life. With his visit, the pope aims to inspire reflection on the importance of ethics and humanity in the face of technological advancements. The trip is expected to strengthen ties between the Vatican and France, while also highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue on the role of faith in modern society.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV warns against losing humanity in a world driven by artificial intelligence.
- The pope emphasizes the need for education in ethical discernment.
- The trip marks the first official papal visit to France in 18 years.
