Pope Leo XIV Warns That Artificial Intelligence Threatens Humanity During Historic France Visit

Pope Leo XIV was greeted by thousands of cheering crowds as he arrived in France, using his visit to issue a stark warning that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies could undermine humanity by challenging the fundamental meaning of existence.

During his opening speeches to President Emmanuel Macron and authorities at the Elysee Palace, followed by an address to diplomats and United Nations employees at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, the pontiff raised deep concerns regarding rapid technological advancement and human rights.

“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,” Pope Leo stated alongside President Emmanuel Macron.

The pope cautioned that scientific progress should not devolve into profit-driven ventures that promote genetic manipulation, surrogacy, the trade in human organs, or assisted dying, referencing a recent landmark bill passed in France.

Addressing international security, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Vatican’s staunch opposition to nuclear weapons, declaring that the doctrine of nuclear deterrence is mistaken and only serves to fuel a renewed arms race.

Artificial intelligence has remained a central focus since the beginning of the pontiff's pontificate, with his first encyclical dedicated to advocating for strict regulation and urging developers to prioritize the common good. Highlighting a growing paradox, the pope noted that while computational systems are readily granted intelligence, society frequently struggles to recognize the inalienable dignity of human persons, whose worth is too often judged by economic efficiency.

Despite these concerns, Pope Leo expressed optimism after speaking with reporters, noting that many AI developers are open to dialogue and actively seeking ways to ensure that technology serves as a tool for human beings rather than a force for destruction.

Marking the first official papal visit to France in 18 years, the four-day journey also touched upon the nation's constitutional secularism, with the pontiff emphasizing that authentic secularity should not exclude religion from the public sphere or education.

The Vatican estimated that approximately 300,000 people turned out on Friday to welcome the pontiff, who travelled across central Paris in his popemobile before leading a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.