Pope calls worshippers ‘saints of France’ after AI warning

On the first day of his papal visit to France, Pope Leo XIV captivated thousands of worshippers outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. He addressed a stadium nearby, calling the audience the "saints of France" and urging peace while warning against an AI-driven paradise of machines. The Church of France needs the worshippers, Pope Leo told them, praising their courage, presence and faith.

Only around five percent of France's 69 million residents regularly attend Catholic services, but the number of teenagers and adults getting baptized is increasing. Earlier in the day, Pope Leo XIV arrived in Paris on a popemobile, greeted by enthusiastic crowds. Terry Spytek, 83, traveled from the United States to witness the pontiff for just three seconds, feeling touched by the brief encounter.

A million people are expected to attend events across Paris during the first two days of the visit, which marks the first official trip by a head of the Vatican since 2008. The high point of the apostolic journey is a Mass at Place de la Concorde and Champs-Elysees on Saturday, followed by visits to Lourdes and Metz. Pope Leo emphasized the importance of "authentic secularity" that does not exclude religion from the public sphere or education.