Pope Leo XIV has issued a warning about the potential risks of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need for humanity to maintain its values and dignity as technology advances. During his four-day visit to France, the Pope spoke to French government and Catholic officials at the Élysée Palace in Paris, where he met with President Emmanuel Macron. The Pope's remarks highlight the importance of balancing technological progress with human values.
The Pope's visit to France is expected to draw large crowds, with over 500,000 people anticipated to attend Mass in Paris on Saturday. To ensure public safety, authorities have increased security measures around the Champs-Élysées and other areas of the capital. An altar has been constructed at the Place de la Concorde for the service, and the Pope will also travel through Paris in his popemobile, with large crowds expected along the route to Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Upon his arrival at Orly Airport on Friday, Pope Leo was received by President Macron. The Pope's schedule includes a meeting with approximately 80,000 young people at the Stade de France in northern Paris. He will also attend Mass at the Catholic sanctuary of Lourdes in the Pyrenees on Sunday, where around 150,000 people are expected to gather. The Pope's visit will conclude on Monday in Metz, northeastern France.
During his visit, Pope Leo met with Macron at the Élysée Palace, where they discussed various topics, including the role of artificial intelligence in society. The Pope's warning about the risks of AI emphasizes the need for humans to remain in control of technology. This message aligns with his previous statements on the importance of protecting human values and dignity.
While Macron will not attend the Pope's Masses due to France's strict separation of church and state, his wife, Brigitte Macron, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will attend Saturday's service. Other senior French political figures, including Marine Le Pen, Édouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal, and Bruno Retailleau, are also expected to be present. Élysée officials have denied reports of disagreements between the French presidency and the Vatican over the Pope's visit.
The French government has offered the Pope several ceremonial events typically reserved for visiting heads of state. However, Pope Leo declined Macron's proposal to meet artisans involved in rebuilding Notre-Dame Cathedral due to his busy schedule. On Friday, the Pope visited Notre-Dame Cathedral, and his visit will conclude with a ceremony in Metz, where he will honor Robert Schuman.
Robert Schuman, one of the founders of the European Union, is currently being considered for beatification. The Pope's visit to Metz will serve as a tribute to Schuman's contributions to European unity and his Catholic faith. With his visit, Pope Leo aims to strengthen ties between the Vatican and France, while emphasizing the importance of human values in the face of technological advancements.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV warns against the risks of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need to protect human values and dignity.
- The Pope's visit to France is expected to draw large crowds, with over 500,000 people anticipated to attend Mass in Paris.
- Pope Leo will conclude his visit on Monday in Metz, where he will honor Robert Schuman, one of the founders of the European Union.
