PARIS | Pope Leo XIV warned Friday that artificial intelligence could create a future dominated by machines and urged greater ethical scrutiny of technology as he opened a four-day visit to France, where he is also confronting the Catholic Church’s abuse crisis and addressing questions about war, peace and human dignity.
Speaking at the Élysée Palace in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Leo said humanity risks losing its identity if AI is allowed to invade and condition daily life without sufficient ethical judgment. Reuters reported that the pope has made the risks of AI a central concern of his 16-month papacy and has repeatedly called for international rules governing its development.
The pope also warned against technological and scientific developments that could turn human life into a commodity, citing concerns over genetic manipulation, surrogacy, organ trafficking and assisted dying. His remarks come as France has constitutionally protected abortion and recently approved legislation allowing certain adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication. The French Catholic hierarchy has opposed both measures.
Leo also used his opening address to criticize nuclear deterrence, saying the doctrine was fueling another arms race. AP reported that he called for peace based on dialogue and justice rather than a balance of military power, as wars continue in Europe and the Middle East.
The pope’s visit is the first official papal state visit to France in 18 years. His four-day itinerary includes Paris, the Catholic pilgrimage site of Lourdes and Metz in northeastern France. More than a million people are expected to attend events during the trip, according to AP, while Reuters reported that about 600,000 people had registered for an outdoor Mass in central Paris.
AI is expected to remain a major theme of the visit. Leo is scheduled to address UNESCO in Paris, reinforcing his call for international cooperation and safeguards as governments and technology companies grapple with the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Earlier this week, he told an AI conference in Rome that technology should promote unity and peace rather than deepen division.
The visit also carries the weight of the Church’s abuse scandal in France. Leo is scheduled to meet seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse in Lourdes on Sunday. A landmark independent French investigation published in 2021 estimated that about 330,000 children had been sexually abused by clergy or other Church personnel in France over seven decades. Survivors and advocacy groups continue to call for deeper institutional reforms and accountability.
France has a particularly complex relationship with the Catholic Church. The country’s tradition of laïcité, or strict state secularism, limits the formal role of religion in public life, even though Catholicism has played a major role in French history and culture. AP noted that the Church has lost much of its former influence over public debates on ethical issues, making Leo’s visit an important test of how his message on human dignity and modern technology is received.
Leo’s French tour will conclude in Metz, where he is expected to speak about Europe’s Christian roots, peace and unity. Reuters reported that the pope is seeking to place questions about humanity, technology and Europe’s future at the center of a visit that combines diplomacy, religious outreach and the Church’s continuing effort to rebuild trust.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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