Pope Leo XIV used his first official papal visit to France to raise alarms about the existential risks posed by rapid scientific advancement, specifically warning that a “paradise of machines” could erode the foundations of humanity. The address was delivered Friday at the Élysée Palace before French President Emmanuel Macron and other officials, and later extended to diplomats and staff at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
The Pope’s speech addressed profound questions regarding human rights and the meaning of life in an era defined by artificial intelligence, escalating nuclear tensions, and other threats to existence. Reaffirming the Vatican’s stance against nuclear proliferation, Leo described the doctrine of nuclear deterrence as “mistaken,” arguing that it only fuels a new arms race. “Peace is not a balance of power; rather, it is built day by day through dialogue and justice,” he stated.
The visit marks a significant diplomatic milestone, being the first state visit by a pope to France in 18 years. Church bells tolled across the nation as Leo’s charter flight arrived at Paris’ Orly airport, drawing more than a million anticipated spectators who lined the capital’s streets to view the pontiff’s motorcade. President Macron welcomed the arrival, describing the visit as a “source of hope” for many French citizens and pledging that France remains committed to peace, effective multilateralism, and the United Nations Charter.
For Macron, who is ineligible to seek a third term in the May elections, hosting the American-born pope serves as a notable highlight at the end of his presidency. This contrasts with the tenure of Pope Francis, who repeatedly declined to make a formal state visit to France and notably skipped the 2024 inauguration of the rebuilt Notre Dame cathedral. Charles Mercier, director of history and sociology of Catholicism studies at Paris EPHE university, noted that for a president nearing the end of his mandate with approval ratings near record lows, aligning with the Pope offers a way to capture some of his popularity.
The four-day itinerary comes at a time when the Catholic Church faces challenges in influencing ethical debates within France due to the country’s strict constitutional approach to secularism. Despite these dynamics, the turnout suggests a surprising level of public interest in Leo’s presence in the historically Catholic yet increasingly secular nation.
Leave a Reply