France: Pope Leo XIV begins Paris diplomacy at the Élysée

Pope Leo XIV cautioned on Friday that a "paradise of machines" could potentially erode humanity as he kicked off a trip to France, prompting critical inquiries about what it means to be human in the era of artificial intelligence, the nuclear arms race, and other perils to life itself. During his opening remarks at the Élysée Palace, Pope Leo expressed deep concerns about scientific advancements, life, and human rights.

Addressing the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, he reaffirmed the Vatican's stance against nuclear weapons, asserting that the doctrine of nuclear deterrence was "misguided" because it merely fueled a fresh arms race. Pope Leo, whose ancestors were originally from France, arrived in Paris for a four-day trip, where the Catholic Church's influence on ethical issues has dwindled due to the strict secularism upheld in the French Constitution.

The pope's arrival was met with church bells ringing across France, and an estimated one million people were expected to witness his visit. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the visit as a source of hope for many French citizens, emphasizing that France stands for peace, effective multilateralism, respect for international law, and the UN Charter, valuing every life equally and defending all peoples.

During his four-day stay in France, Pope Leo is scheduled to visit the UNESCO headquarters, celebrate vespers at the recently reopened Notre-Dame cathedral, and preside over a massive youth vigil at the Paris stadium, marking the end of President Macron's term. Macron, who is ineligible for a third term in the upcoming elections, views hosting the pope as a chance to capitalize on Pope Francis's lack of a state visit during his 12-year papacy.

With a seven-month term left, Macron's popularity is at an all-time low, fueled by rising living costs, criticism over national debt and deficit, and declining public services.