STORY: Pope Leo urged the world to reconsider the development of artificial intelligence, technological development unleashed from ethics and the normalisation of war, just after arriving in Paris for a four-day visit to France on Friday (September 25).

The first US pope, who has made sounding the alarm about the risks of AI a central part of his 16-month papacy, put the issue at the heart of his visit to France, the first by a pope in nearly 20 years.

"If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a 'paradise of machines' invading and shaping our daily lives, it is urgent that we train our minds in ethical discernment," he said, speaking under the gilded ceilings of the Elysee Palace.

The pope also strongly reiterated the Church's pro-life teachings, criticizing initiatives to allow assisted dying for those who have incurable illnesses, two months after French politicians approved such a measure.

He also urged Macron and France to be a force for peace and the resolution of conflicts throughout the world.

Leo, on a whirlwind three-city visit to France, will also seek to repair the Church's standing there after abuse scandals sparked nationwide shock, and is also expected to lay out a vision for the future of Europe in a speech on Monday (September 28).

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Pope Leo warns of tech advancing without ethics and normalisation of war

VIDEO SHOWS: POPE LEO GIVING SPEECH AT ELYSEE PALACE AND WARNING OF DANGERS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND TECH WITHOUT GUIDANCE BY ETHICS AND NORMALISATION OF WAR

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS EXTENDED AND UNRESTRICTED QUOTES BY POPE LEO INCLUDED IN EDIT 5139-POPE-FRANCE/MACRON

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 25, 2026) (AGENCY POOL - Access all)

1. POPE LEO AND FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, ARRIVING TO GIVE SPEECHES, AUDIENCE APPLAUDING

2. (SOUNDBITE) (French) POPE LEO SAYING:

"It seemed essential to me to address the topic of artificial intelligence in my first encyclical letter, in order to place the human person at the centre of all reflection. To ensure that we do not lose our humanity amid the 'paradise of machines' that are invading and shaping our daily lives, it is urgent that we train our minds in ethical discernment, so that we may recognise what is morally good. This is indispensable if we are to recognise the genuine good that enables human beings to flourish in accordance with their primordial vocation, with unconditional respect for their interior freedom and their sacred dignity."

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) POPE LEO SAYING:

"I 'firmly reiterate that the protection of the right to life constitutes the indispensable foundation of every other human right' (quote from address in January) Nowadays there is a temptation to expect science to eliminate or alleviate every form of suffering. This often brings the risk of self-delusion. For when science and technology are not guided by a deeper wisdom, they can offer immediate solutions that apparently address people’s wishes and their pain, but can seriously divert them from the greater good to which they aspire."

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) POPE LEO SAYING:

"I sometimes observe with concern the current trends in society that risk diverting science and technology toward lucrative ventures promoting genetic manipulation, surrogacy, the purchase of organs, or the offering of assisted suicide."

7. WHITE FLASH

8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) POPE LEO SAYING:

"'Justice, wisdom and the recognition of human dignity cry out insistently for an end to the arms race. The stockpiles of armaments built up in various countries must be reduced all round and simultaneously by the parties concerned. Nuclear weapons must be banned. A general agreement must be reached on a suitable disarmament program, with an effective system of mutual control' (quoting from Encyclical Letter Pacem in Terris by Pope John XXIII in 1963). Indeed, the mistaken belief that the possession of nuclear weapons is a guarantee of security is spreading and fuelling a new arms race that is difficult to control. Peace is not a balance of power; rather, it is built day by day through dialogue and justice."

9. WHITE FLASH

10. (SOUNDBITE) (French) POPE LEO SAYING:

"In the face of the rumblings of war and the multifaceted crises shaking our world, France is called upon to remain a tireless champion of peace and multilateralism, particularly within our beloved Europe. May France, faithful to its traditional values, work for a peace that is unarmed and disarming, and responsibly offer its unique contribution to that goal. May your liberty grow in constant concern for the common good. May your fraternity embrace the entire human family."

11. VARIOUS OF MACRON AND AUDIENCE APPLAUDING LEO

PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 25, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

12. LEO, MACRON AND BRIGITTE MACRON LEAVING ELYSEE

13. LEO, MACRON AND BRIGITTE MACRON CHATTING ON RED CARPET

14. LEO SHAKING HANDS WITH MACRON AND BRIGITTE MACRON AND WALKING TO CAR

15. CARS BEGINNING TO DRIVE OUT OF ELYSEE COURTYARD / MACRON AND BRIGITTE MACRON WATCHING

16. MACRON AND BRIGITTE MACRON WATCHING