Pope Leo XIV Warns 'Paradise Of Machines' Could Undermine Humanity As He Begins France Visit

Pope Leo XIV has warned that humanity risks losing itself in a "paradise of machines" as he opened his trip to France with a strong message on artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons and the future of human life.

Speaking on Friday at the Élysée Palace during his meeting with President Emmanuel Macron and members of the diplomatic corps, the Pope raised fundamental questions about what it means to be human in an age of rapid technological advancement and global conflicts.

He cautioned against unchecked scientific progress and said there is an urgent need for ethical education to safeguard human values.

"If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a ‘paradise of machines’ invading and conditioning our daily lives, there is an urgent need for education in ethical discernment and the capacity to acknowledge the moral good," Pope Leo XIV said.

The Pontiff, who has made artificial intelligence a key theme of his papacy, reaffirmed the Vatican's longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons. He described the doctrine of nuclear deterrence as "mistaken," arguing that it is only fuelling a new arms race at a time when wars continue to plague Europe and the Middle East.

Recalling France's deep Christian roots and its historic role in promoting human rights, the Pope stressed the need for robust regulation of AI to ensure it serves the common good rather than profit.

Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo has identified AI as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. In his first encyclical titled "Magnificent Humanity," he called on tech companies and political leaders to prioritize humanity over commercial gains and to slow down in the development of AI systems.

Speaking to journalists aboard the papal flight to Paris, the Pope expressed satisfaction that his message was resonating with major tech companies, noting that many of them have shown openness to dialogue initiated by the Vatican.

"And I think from their perspective, many of them, they're very much open to looking for ways of making sure that AI does not displace or ultimately destroy humanity, but rather be a tool for human beings," he said. "Good things are beginning at least."

Pope Leo XIV's visit to France is expected to focus heavily on ethical issues, peace, and the role of faith in addressing modern global challenges.