Pope opens France visit with warning

Pope Leo XIV warned Friday that a paradise of machines risked undermining humanity as he opened a trip to France, raising existential concerns about artificial intelligence and scientific progress.

“paradise of machines”

Leo addresses Macron at Élysée Palace

The pope opened his speech to President Emmanuel Macron and authorities at the Élysée Palace, then spoke to diplomats and United Nations employees at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

Vatican reaffirms opposition to nuclear weapons

With wars plaguing Europe and the Middle East, Pope Leo reaffirmed the Vatican's opposition to nuclear weapons and said the nuclear deterrence doctrine was mistaken since it fueled a new arms race.

“mistaken”

Peace built through dialogue, not power

Pope Leo told French authorities that peace is not a balance of power but is built day by day through dialogue and justice, emphasizing the Vatican's commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts.

“Peace is not a balance of power; rather, it is built day by day through dialogue and justice.”

First papal state visit in eighteen years

Church bells tolled across France when Pope Leo's charter flight landed at Paris' Orly airport. More than a million people are expected to turn out to see him during his four day visit.

Macron sees capstone moment as term ends

For Macron, barred from seeking a third term in May elections, hosting Pope Leo is a capstone. Pope Francis had refused to make a proper state visit to France during his twelve year pontificate.

Leo challenges France on human life

Pope Leo is pushing the church's message about human dignity in a country where abortion was enshrined in the constitution in two thousand twenty four and lawmakers recently approved lethal medication for incurable illness.

AI threatens human dignity, pope warns

Pope Leo said that while intelligence is attributed to computational systems, humanity struggles to recognize the inalienable dignity of human persons whose lives are judged by efficiency and rejected when no longer productive.

“while 'intelligence' is attributed to computational systems, we struggle to recognize the inalienable dignity of human persons”

Leo calls for ethical discernment on AI

To avoid losing humanity amid a paradise of machines, Pope Leo said there is urgent need for education in ethical discernment and capacity to acknowledge moral good in how artificial intelligence is developed and deployed.

“If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a 'paradise of machines' invading and conditioning our daily lives, there is an urgent need for education in ethical discernment”

Tech companies show openness to dialogue

Speaking to reporters en route to Paris, Pope Leo said he was pleased his message was being heard and hoped the Vatican's dialogue with tech companies would continue, noting many are open to ensuring AI serves humanity.

“many of them, they're very much open to looking for ways of making sure that AI does not displace or ultimately destroy humanity”