Pope Leo XIV begins four-day visit to France

Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday, September 25, for a four-day visit focused on peace, artificial intelligence, human dignity and the Catholic Church’s response to sexual abuse. The trip, the first official papal visit to France since 2008, is scheduled to include Paris, Lourdes and Metz. President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, greeted Leo at Paris Orly airport. Leo told reporters aboard his flight that he was traveling to proclaim Christ’s peace, which he said was particularly important at the current time. His itinerary includes meetings with Macron and other French officials, an address at UNESCO headquarters, a visit to the restored Notre-Dame cathedral and public religious gatherings in Paris. The planned events and speeches had not yet taken place when the reports were published. Artificial intelligence is among the principal subjects expected to feature during the visit. Leo has called for global rules governing the technology and has raised concerns about its effects on humanity, security and peace. His planned UNESCO address is expected to address AI.