Pope Leo XIV has issued a warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need to preserve human values and dignity in the face of technological progress. The pontiff made these remarks at the Élysée Palace in Paris, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and other officials. This was the first event of his four-day visit to France, which is expected to draw large crowds.
The Pope's visit to France began on Friday, when he arrived at Orly airport and was welcomed by Macron. During his stay, he will travel through Paris in his popemobile, with large crowds expected along the route to Notre-Dame Cathedral. On Saturday, more than half a million people are expected to attend Mass at the Place de la Concorde, where an altar has been constructed. Security measures have been introduced around the Champs-Élysées and surrounding areas ahead of the event.
Macron will not attend the Pope's Masses due to France's strict separation between church and state. However, his wife, Brigitte Macron, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will attend the Saturday service. Several prominent French political figures, including Marine Le Pen, Edouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal, and Bruno Retailleau, are also expected to attend. The French presidency and the Vatican have reportedly not had any tensions over arrangements for the visit.
Pope Leo declined Macron's proposal for a meeting with artisans involved in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral, citing a tight schedule. Instead, he visited Notre-Dame on Friday and is expected to meet about 80,000 young people at the Stade de France in northern Paris. The Pope will also attend Mass at the Catholic sanctuary of Lourdes in the Pyrenees on Sunday, where about 150,000 people have registered to attend.
On Monday, the Pope will conclude his visit in Metz, northeastern France, where he will pay tribute to Robert Schuman, a founding figure of the European Union and a devout Catholic who is currently a candidate for beatification. This event will mark the end of his four-day visit to France. The Pope's message of caution regarding artificial intelligence has been a significant theme of his visit.
The Pope's warning about artificial intelligence highlights the growing influence of technology in modern life. He emphasized the need to ensure that technological progress does not come at the expense of human values and dignity. This message is relevant to people around the world, as technology continues to advance and become increasingly integrated into daily life.
The visit has been well-received by the French public, with large crowds expected to attend events throughout the country. The Pope's message of hope and unity has resonated with many, and his visit is seen as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV warns against "losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines" during his four-day visit to France.
