Pope Leo XIV has warned against the potential risks of artificial intelligence, urging governments and societies to ensure that rapid technological advancement does not come at the expense of human dignity and values.
The Pope issued the warning during his four-day visit to France, where he addressed French government and Catholic officials at the Élysée Palace in Paris after meeting President Emmanuel Macron. 
Pope Leo cautioned against “losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines,” stressing the need to keep human beings and their dignity at the centre of technological development.
His remarks come amid growing global debate over the impact of artificial intelligence on society, employment, education and human relationships.
The Pope’s visit to France is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people, with more than 500,000 expected to attend Mass in Paris on Saturday.
French authorities have stepped up security around the Champs-Élysées and other parts of the capital ahead of the major events. An altar has also been erected at the Place de la Concorde for the Mass.
Pope Leo arrived at Orly Airport on Friday, where he was received by Macron. He is expected to travel through Paris in the popemobile, with large crowds anticipated along his 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. His wife, Brigitte Macron, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu are, however, 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.
Officials at the Élysée Palace have dismissed reports of tensions between the French presidency and the Vatican over the Pope’s visit.
French officials said the government had offered Pope Leo several ceremonial engagements traditionally arranged for visiting heads of state. However, he reportedly declined Macron’s proposal to meet artisans involved in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral, citing a busy schedule.
After visiting Notre-Dame on Friday, the Pope 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 to attend Mass at the Catholic sanctuary of Lourdes in the Pyrenees.
Pope Leo will conclude his visit on Monday in Metz, northeastern France, where he is expected to honour Robert Schuman, one of the founding figures of the European Union and a Catholic currently being considered for beatification.
