Pope Leo XIV has warned about the risks of artificial intelligence, saying people must not lose their humanity as technology continues to advance.
The Pope gave the warning during his four-day visit to France. He spoke to French government and Catholic officials at the Élysée Palace in Paris after meeting President Emmanuel Macron.
He cautioned against “losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines.”
He stressed the need to protect human values and dignity as artificial intelligence becomes more influential.
The Pope’s visit is expected to attract large crowds across France. More than 500,000 people are expected to attend Mass in Paris on Saturday.
Authorities have increased security around the Champs-Élysées and other parts of the capital, while an altar has been built at the Place de la Concorde for the service.
Pope Leo arrived at Orly Airport on Friday, where he was received by Macron. He is also expected to travel through Paris in his popemobile, with large crowds expected along the route to Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Macron is not expected to attend the Pope’s Masses because of France’s strict separation of church and state. However, his wife, Brigitte Macron, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu are expected to attend Saturday’s service.
Other senior French political figures, including Marine Le Pen, Édouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal and Bruno Retailleau, are also expected to be present.
Élysée officials have rejected reports of disagreements between the French presidency and the Vatican over the Pope’s visit.
French officials said the country had offered the Pope several ceremonial events normally arranged for visiting heads of state. However, he turned down Macron’s proposal to meet artisans involved in rebuilding Notre-Dame Cathedral because of his busy schedule.
After visiting Notre-Dame on Friday, Pope Leo is expected to meet about 80,000 young people at the Stade de France in northern Paris.
On Sunday, around 150,000 people are expected at Mass at the Catholic sanctuary of Lourdes in the Pyrenees.
The Pope will end his visit on Monday in Metz, northeastern France, where he will honour Robert Schuman, one of the founders of the European Union and a Catholic who is currently being considered for beatification.