Pope Leo made the first papal state visit to France in 18 years, delivering a landmark speech at Unesco warning that artificial intelligence must remain at the service of humans and not create a 'paradise of machines'.
Key facts
- The visit is the first papal state visit to France in 18 years.
- Pope Leo delivered a landmark speech on AI development at Unesco.
- He warned that technology 'must remain at service of humans' and cautioned against a 'paradise of machines'.
- The visit began in Paris and included a meeting at the Élysée Palace and a visit to the restored Notre Dame Cathedral.
- Pope Leo is also expected to discuss Europe's future in Metz, with other European leaders expected to attend.
Pope Leo travelled to France this weekend for the first papal state visit to the country in 18 years, beginning in Paris, according to the Guardian. The trip drew large crowds, Al Jazeera reported.
At the centre of the visit was a landmark speech on artificial intelligence delivered at Unesco. The pope warned that technology ‘must remain at service of humans’, according to the Guardian, and cautioned against AI creating what he described as a ‘paradise of machines’.
The Guardian reported that Pope Leo went to the Élysée Palace for a formal welcome and a meeting with authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps, before visiting Unesco and delivering the AI speech in mid-afternoon.
He was then expected to take a stroll through the streets of Paris before visiting the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, the Guardian reported.
Beyond the AI address, the visit was also seen as an effort to repair the Catholic Church’s standing after abuse scandals in the country, according to the Guardian.
The pope is also expected to discuss Europe’s future during a stop in Metz, with some other European leaders expected to attend, the Guardian reported.
Why it matters
A papal state visit to France after an 18-year gap is a significant diplomatic and religious event, and the pope's intervention on artificial intelligence places the Catholic Church directly in one of the most consequential policy debates of the era. His remarks also come as the Church seeks to rebuild trust in France following abuse scandals.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Pope Leo's visit to France significant?
It is the first papal state visit to France in 18 years, according to the Guardian, and drew large crowds, Al Jazeera reported.
What did Pope Leo say about artificial intelligence?
In a landmark speech at Unesco, he warned that technology 'must remain at service of humans' and cautioned against AI creating a 'paradise of machines', according to the Guardian.
Where did Pope Leo go during the visit?
The Guardian reported he visited the Élysée Palace, Unesco and the restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and is expected to discuss Europe's future in Metz.