Pope Leo XIV warns a 'paradise of machines' could erode humanity as he opens France visit

The useful part

POPE Leo has warned that a "paradise of machines" risked undermining humanity as he opened a trip to France by posing fundamental questions about what it means to be human in the age of artificial intelligence. Leo raised existential questions about scientific progress, life and human rights during his opening speech to French president Emmanuel Macron and diplomats at the Elysee Palace. Given the wars plaguing Europe and the Middle East, he reaffirmed the Vatican's opposition to nuclear weapons and said the nuclear deterrence doctrine was "mistaken" since it was just fuelling a new arms race.

How it works

• The welcome has underscored the surprising level of interest in Leo's visit, the first official state visit by a pope in 18 years.
• He dedicated his first encyclical to the topic, Magnificent Humanity, calling for robust regulation and for AI developers to work for the common good rather than profit.
• Church bells tolled across France as Leo's charter flight landed at Paris' Orly airport, and upwards of a million people are expected to turn out to see him.
• "France stands on the side of peace, effective multilateralism, respect for international law and the United Nations Charter… because every life has equal value, and all peoples must be defended," he said.
• Later on Friday, Leo would visit Unesco headquarters, celebrate vespers at the newly reopened Notre-Dame cathedral and then preside over a large youth vigil at the Paris stadium.

What to take from it

Good media coverage was important, he said, and equally important "that we have it all the way around, for everyone". Leo said he welcomed media coverage and affirmed the need for it. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte accompany Pope Leo XIV (Image:

Example or evidence

• It's not new," Charles Mercier, director of history and sociology of Catholicism studies at Paris EPHE university, said.
• With seven months left in his term, Macron's approval ratings are near record lows, driven by anger over the rising cost of living and criticism of France's growing debt and deficit and deteriorating public...
• In his speech to Macron and other government and diplomatic authorities, Leo called for France especially to the right to life is the "indispensable foundation of every other human right".
• He recalled France's "deep Christian roots" and the recognition of human rights in warning about scientific progress and artificial intelligence.

Details worth keeping

It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Glasgow council bosses 'feel sick' about firing and rehiring 23,000 staff Leo, whose paternal ancestors were French, arrived in Paris at the start of four days in France, where the Catholic Church has lost ground on influencing ethical issues given the strict approach to secularism that is enshrined in the French constitution. Macron said Leo's visit brings "a source of hope" to many French people.

Related coverage

• Npr: Pope Leo XIV has warned that a "paradise of machines" could undermine humanity. He raises concerns about artificial intelligence, nuclear arms, and human rights during his visit to France.
• Cruxnow: Pope Leo XIV warned Friday that a "paradise of machines" risked undermining humanity as he opened a trip to France by posing fundamental questions about what it means to be human in the age of artificial...
• Baptistnews: Pope Leo XIV warned Friday that a "paradise of machines" risked undermining humanity as he opened a trip to France by posing fundamental questions about what it means to be human in the age of artificial...
• Abc7chicago: Pope Leo XIV has warned that a "paradise of machines" could undermine humanity.
• Huffpost: From the very start of his pontificate, Leo has identified artificial intelligence as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.