Pope Leo XIV criticizes AI, assisted dying on France arrival

Pope Leo XIV embarked on a four-day visit to France, marking his first official papal visit to the secular nation in 18 years. Upon arriving at Paris Orly Airport, Leo was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and will remain in the country until Monday. During remarks at the Elysee Palace, Pope Leo strongly opposed assisted dying initiatives, warning that such practices, along with surrogacy and human organ trade, pose a threat to humanity.

He emphasized that protecting the right to life is the foundation of all other human rights. Pope Leo also expressed concerns about the development of artificial intelligence, urging for ethical discernment to avoid losing humanity in a "paradise of machines." His itinerary included meetings with Macron, speaking engagements at UNESCO headquarters, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Stade de France, as well as a Mass for 80,000 young people at the Stade de France.

On Saturday, Leo planned to celebrate Mass for another 600,000 at Place de la Concorde before traveling to Lourdes, a renowned Catholic pilgrimage site. On Monday, he would deliver a speech in Metz, near the German border, before leaving France. Pope Leo's visit aimed to address global concerns, including AI and the Catholic Church's image in France, which had suffered due to a 2021 report on clergy abuse impacting 330,000 children.