Pope Leo XIV Emphasizes Human Dignity and Rule of Law in UNESCO Address

Pope Leo XIV addressed UNESCO headquarters in Paris, calling for what he described as a broader "educational alliance" accessible to everyone, while urging greater protection of human dignity as artificial intelligence technology continues to advance, France 24 reported.

In his remarks, the pope emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and safeguarding human dignity amid rapid technological change. He specifically called on the international community to pay special attention to children and young people in the digital era, warning against allowing their vulnerability to become an opportunity for exploitation.

The UNESCO address formed part of the pope's first day of a four-day visit to France, which also included a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron and later public events in Paris. UNESCO, the UN's education, science and culture agency, is headquartered in the French capital and regularly hosts high-profile addresses from world leaders and dignitaries on global policy issues.

The pope's remarks on AI reflect a growing engagement by Vatican leadership with the ethical and social implications of emerging technology, an area Leo XIV has addressed in various settings since becoming pope.

France 24's report did not indicate specific policy proposals beyond the pope's general call for an inclusive educational alliance and stronger protections for children online.