Pope Leo opened his three day visit to France with a stark warning about the rise of artificial intelligence, cautioning that society risks losing its essence within a paradise of machines. Speaking at the Élysée Palace, the 71 year old pontiff emphasized that as these technologies increasingly condition daily life, there is an urgent necessity for people to be educated in ethical discernment. He argued that science loses its true purpose when pursued without morality, noting that while computational systems are now credited with intelligence, actual human relationships are being impoverished through a process of dehumanization.
During a subsequent address at Unesco headquarters in Paris, the Pope insisted that technology must serve humanity rather than become a tool for domination or injustice. He expressed deep concern over a growing cultural obsession with efficiency, suggesting that human beings are increasingly viewed through a lens of productivity and discarded when they are no longer deemed useful. This critique extended beyond technology to global governance, as Leo condemned leaders who treat justice like a commodity and manipulate the rule of law to suit their own personal interests.
The visit marks the first official papal trip to France in nearly two decades and arrives at a politically charged moment as President Emmanuel Macron prepares to leave office amidst rising support for far right candidates. Beyond his warnings on AI, Pope Leo touched upon controversial French legislation regarding assisted dying and urged the nation to remain a tireless champion for peace as the conflict in Ukraine enters its fifth year. He specifically challenged political leaders not to resign themselves to the idea that war is inevitable.
Beyond the diplomatic ceremonies and public speeches, the itinerary includes more somber obligations. While scheduled for a massive open air mass at Place de la Concorde, Pope Leo will also travel to Lourdes for private meetings with victims of clerical sexual abuse. These encounters come amid ongoing fallout from reports detailing systemic abuse within the French church. In a final gesture toward democratic transparency, the Pope defended the role of the press during his flight to Paris, welcoming international journalists in an apparent nod to current tensions between the US administration and various media outlets.