Pope Leo warns 'paradise of machines' could undermine humanity as he opens France trip
Pope Leo XIV began a visit to France, using the platform to warn against a 'paradise of machines' and the existential risks posed by AI and nuclear weapons. He emphasized that true peace is built through dialogue rather than a balance of power.
Why it matters
The Pope's intervention in global technological and geopolitical discourse highlights the growing ethical debate surrounding AI and nuclear proliferation.
Pope Leo XIV warned on Friday (September 25, 2026) that a “paradise of machines” risked undermining humanity as he opened a trip to France by posing fundamental questions about what it means to be human in the age of Artificial Intelligence , nuclear arms race and other threats to life itself.
Pope raised existential questions about scientific progress, life and human rights during his opening speech to President Emmanuel Macron and diplomats at the Élysee Palace.
Given the wars plaguing Europe and the Middle East, he reaffirmed the Vatican's opposition to nuclear weapons and said the nuclear deterrence doctrine was “mistaken” since it was just fueling a new arms race. “Peace is not a balance of power; rather, it is built day by day through dialogue and justice,” he said.
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