Pope warns against losing humanity in ‘paradise of machines’

In a visit to France, Pope Leo XIV cautioned against losing humanity in a "paradise of machines," amidst global worries over artificial intelligence. The church leader underscored the importance of education in ethical discernment to prevent humanity's loss amid technological advancements. As the first papal trip in 18 years to a secular nation, the pope stressed that authentic secularism should not exclude religion from public life or education; instead, the state and religious institutions should collaborate for the common good.

France, with its upcoming presidential election, is facing calls from politicians to uphold secularism, which has been used to ban religious symbols. The pope also expressed concern over scientific and technological ventures driven by profit, such as genetic manipulation, surrogacy, and organ trade. The visit marks Pope Leo's first official papal journey in nearly two decades, with events in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz.

Despite the relatively low percentage of regular churchgoers in France, the pope's visit received strong support from the public, with thousands expected to attend the mass at Place de la Concorde and Champs-Elysees.