Pope opens France visit with AI warning

Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday warning that a 'paradise of machines' risked undermining humanity as he opened a four-day state visit to President Emmanuel Macron.

Leo raises existential concerns at Élysée Palace

At the Élysée Palace, Leo posed fundamental questions about what it means to be human in the age of artificial intelligence, nuclear arms race and other threats to life itself.

Vatican opposes nuclear deterrence doctrine

Leo reaffirmed the Vatican's opposition to nuclear weapons, saying the nuclear deterrence doctrine was 'mistaken' since it was fueling a new arms race.

“mistaken”

Peace built through dialogue, not power

Leo told authorities that peace is not a balance of power but is built day by day through dialogue and justice.

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

First papal state visit to France in 18 years

This is Leo's first official state visit to France in eighteen years. Thousands lined his motorcade route waving flags, with some waiting hours in unseasonable heat to see him.

Sister Antonia Faye finds comfort in Leo's presence

Senegalese Sister Antonia Faye attended evening prayers at Notre Dame and said being with the pope comforted her faith. She felt the benediction that came down on them.

“Being with the pope is different to being alone or praying alone. We felt the benediction that came down on us.”

Macron's capstone as his term ends

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

Leo pushes church message on human life

Leo is seeking to reawaken Europe's Christian roots and push the church's message about human dignity in a country where abortion was enshrined in the constitution in two thousand twenty-four.

AI threatens to judge humans by efficiency

Leo warned 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.

“The paradox has become increasingly evident: while 'intelligence' is attributed to computational systems, we struggle to recognize the inalienable dignity of human persons, whose lives are judged according to the criterion of efficiency and, when deemed no longer productive, are rejected and discarded.”

Leo calls for urgent ethical education on AI

Leo said there is urgent need for education in ethical discernment to avoid losing humanity amid a paradise of machines invading and conditioning daily lives.

“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 and the capacity to acknowledge the moral good.”

Leo presides at Notre Dame after 2019 fire

Leo presided over evening prayers at Notre Dame, the first pope to celebrate there since the devastating two thousand nineteen fire. He praised the artisans who restored the Gothic masterpiece.