Pope Leo XIV Visits France, Warns Against Losing Humanity to AI

Pope Leo XIV embarked on a four-day visit to France on Friday, marked by a warning against the potential for artificial intelligence to diminish humanity. Addressing President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, Pope Leo stated, “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.” The Pope’s trip, his first to France in 18 years, includes a Mass expected to draw over 600,000 people to the Champs-Élysées, and visits to Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Stade de France, Lourdes, and Metz. President Macron greeted the Pope at Orly airport and held talks focusing on geopolitical issues and AI, though he will not attend any of the Pope’s Masses to adhere to France’s separation of state and religion; his wife Brigitte and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will attend in his place. Several presidential candidates are also expected to attend events, including Marine Le Pen, Edouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal, and Bruno Retailleau. The Vatican reportedly accommodated Macron’s requests for a more ceremonial visit, turning down a proposal for the Pope to meet with artisans who rebuilt Notre-Dame due to scheduling constraints. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, has familial ties to France through his paternal grandmother, who was born in Le Havre. He will also meet with migrants in Paris and victims of clergy sexual abuse in Lourdes, and pay tribute to Robert Schuman, a founding father of the European Union, in Metz.

Where they differ

• BBC detailed the logistical arrangements of the Pope’s visit, including the sealing off of the Champs-Élysées and the expected attendance at various events.
• SCMP focused more directly on the Pope’s warning regarding AI and its impact on humanity, framing it as the central message of his address to President Macron.
• BBC reported on reported tensions between Macron and the Vatican over the ceremonial aspects of the visit, while SCMP did not mention this.

What is not yet known

• The extent to which the Pope’s message on AI will influence policy discussions between him and President Macron remains unclear.
• The specific details of the ‘ethical discernment’ education the Pope advocates for are not outlined.

Background

• Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope, born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, with familial ties to France through his paternal grandmother [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-25].
• This is Pope Leo XIV’s first state visit to France in 18 years, a trip seen as a political win for President Macron [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-25].
• Prior to becoming Pope, Robert Prevost served as the superior of the Augustinian order for two terms, following a homily delivered shortly after the 9/11 attacks focusing on poverty and injustice as root causes of violence [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-13].
• France recently enshrined abortion rights and assisted dying in its constitution, policies opposed by the French Catholic hierarchy [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-25].
• Pope Leo XIV unveiled a fresco at a sanctuary he visited immediately after his election, demonstrating a personal connection to the site [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-07].

Our reading

Our reading is that Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France is carefully calibrated, balancing spiritual concerns with geopolitical realities. The Pope’s focus on the ethical implications of AI, while presented as a universal warning, arrives at a moment when France and Canada are actively pursuing new international partnerships, potentially signaling a broader shift in global alliances. The Vatican’s accommodation of Macron’s requests for a ceremonial visit, alongside the Pope’s planned meetings with marginalized groups, suggests a strategic attempt to engage with French society on multiple levels.

What to watch

• Attendance figures for the Mass at the Champs-Élysées, compared to the expected 600,000, to gauge public engagement with the Pope’s message [BBC, as reported in article].
• Any official statements or policy announcements from the French government regarding AI ethics following the Pope’s address and meetings with Macron [French government press releases].
• The publication of the full transcript of the Pope’s speech at UNESCO, to determine the specific details of his proposed “ethical discernment” education [Vatican Press Office].

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