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WORLDSep 25‘I hope France wakes up’: Young Catholics flood the streets for Pope Leo's Paris visitArmed with paper fortune-tellers and pop worship songs, young French Catholics from the Anuncio movement fanned out into the crowds awaiting Pope Leo XIV's arrival in Paris on Friday, hoping to bring strangers closer to God in one of Europe's most secular countries.France 24 [en]
WORLDSep 25Pope warns a ‘paradise of machines’ could undermine humanity as he opens France tripPope Leo XIV warned Friday 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, a nuclear arms race and other threats to life itself. Leo raised existential concerns about scientific progress, life and human rights during his opening speech to President Emmanuel Macron and authorities at the Élysée Palace and then to diplomats and United Nations employees at the headquarters of UNESCO, the U.N. culture and education organization. With 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. Leo has an intense four days in France, where the Catholic Church has lost ground in influencing ethical issues given the strict approach to secularism that is enshrined in the French Constitution. Yet thousands of people lined his motorcade route, waving French and Holy See flags, with some braving hours of the unseasonable heat to catch a glimpse of him. The turnout underscored the surprising level of interest in Leo's visit, the first official state visit by a pope to France in 18 years. "To see him, praying with us, it comforts us in our faith and on our path," said Senegalese Sister Antonia Faye, who was glowing after her first-ever event with a pope, an evening prayer service at Notre Dame that featured angelic choirs and the cathedral's booming organ. "Being with the pope is different to being alone or praying alone. We felt the benediction that came down on us," she said. A capstone visit as Macron's term ends For Macron, who is barred from seeking a third term in May elections, hosting the American pope is something of a capstone. Pope Francis had refused repeatedly to make a proper state visit to France during his 12-year pontificate and pointedly refused to join the inauguration of the rebuilt Notre Dame cathedral in 2024 that Macron had championed. "For a president of the republic as Macron, who is at the end of his mandate, it can be important to be aside the pope and to capture a part of his popularity," said Charles Mercier, director of history and sociology of Catholicism studies at Paris EPHE university. With seven months left in his term, Macron's approval ratings are near record lows, driven by anger over the rising cost of living and criticism of France's growing debt and deficit and deteriorating public services. Smiling broadly as Leo spoke French, Macron thanked the pope for visiting, saying: "You are here with us for an extended visit, giving us your time, and that is moving." Leo calls for the French to mull lofty questions about life Unlike Francis, who liked to travel to small Catholic communities far from Rome, Leo has been keen to emphasize and reawaken Europe's Christian roots. He is seeking to push the church's message about the value and dignity of human life in a country where the right to abortion was enshrined in the constitution in 2024, and where lawmakers recently gave final approval to a bill allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication. The French Catholic hierarchy strongly opposed the measures, in keeping with Catholic teaching that human life must be protected and defended from conception until natural death. In his speech to Macron and other government and diplomatic authorities, Leo reminded France of its "deep Christian roots" and called for the French to remember that the right to life is the "indispensable foundation of every other human right." His concern about the dignity of human life and humanity as a whole extended to the threats posed by artificial intelligence. "The paradox has become increasingly evident: while 'intelligence' is attributed to computational systems, we struggle to recognize the inalienable dignity of human persons, whose lives are judged according to the criterion of efficiency and, when deemed no longer productive, are rejected and discarded," he said. From the very start of his pontificate, Leo has identified AI as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. He dedicated his first encyclical to the topic, "Magnificent Humanity," calling for robust regulation and for AI developers to work for the common good rather than profit. Leo also appealed to AI developers and political leaders responsible for regulating them to slow down, an appeal that several top AI companies seem to have taken to heart recently. "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," he said. Leo earlier told reporters that he was pleased his message was being heard and said he hoped the dialogue that the Vatican initiated with tech companies would continue. "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 is a tool for human beings," he said. A visit to Notre Dame that Francis declined Later on Friday, Leo presided over evening prayers in Paris' soaring Notre Dame cathedral, the first pope to celebrate there since the devastating 2019 fire that consumed the cathedral's roof and toppled its spire. After being mobbed by a crowd of eager nuns outside, Leo walked down the central aisle to the combined thundering of the organ above and cheers from the pews below. As bells tolled, he knelt in silent prayer in the same spot where, in 2019, flames brought down scorched roof beams. Leo marveled at the brilliance of the stained-glass windows and restored cream columns and praised the artisans who repaired them. He urged the priests and nuns gathered in the pews to be inspired by the combined effort to bring the Gothic masterpiece back to life. Francis had refused to visit France on a proper state visit, and explicitly refused Macron's invitation to come for the 2024 reopening of the cathedral that drew dozens of world leaders. He did make three short trips to French cities, however, including Strasbourg in 2014 and Marseille and Corsica in 2024, a one-day visit that became his last foreign trip.independent_mt · malta
WORLDSep 25Turkey vs France, LIVE, for the Nations League: minute by minute, liveEs el debut de Zinedine Zidane al frente del equipo francés. Mbapé y Dembélé integran el ataque del conjunto galo. Se enfrenta en la ciudad turca de Izmit.Clarín
WORLDSep 25LIVE: Turkiye vs France – UEFA Nations LeagueFollow the updates, with build-up, predictions, team news and lineups, from our live text commentary stream coverage.Al Jazeera [en]
WORLDSep 25Pope Leo warns a 'paradise of machines' could undermine humanity on his France visitPope Leo XIV raised existential concerns about scientific progress, life and human rights during a speech on his first papal visit to France.NPR News
WORLDSep 25Zinédine Zidane takes charge of first match as France managerFrance plays away to Turkey in the Nations League on Friday for Zidane's first match as a manager since he left Real Madrid in 2021.Le Monde [en]
WORLDSep 25Sentence for the crime of rugby player Federico Aramburú in France: "One day I will be able to heal socially"The main accused said it in his last words. The final hearing coincided with the arrival of Pope Leo XIV. The jury's deliberation is expected to take hours.Clarín
WORLDSep 25Pope Leo XIV begins historic 4-day visit to FrancePope Leo XIV's historic France visit includes a private meeting with abuse victims in Lourdes and a Saturday Mass expecting up to 1 million people.Fox News World
WORLDSep 25France welcomes Leo XIV at Orly Airport as bells sound nationwidePope Leo XIV begins historic four-day visit to France with focus on Europe’s future.Africanews [en]
WORLDSep 25France welcomes Leo XIV at Orly Airport as bells sound nationwidePope Leo XIV begins historic four-day visit to France with focus on Europe’s future.EuroNews [en]
WORLDSep 25Arab News | Pope arrives in France on first official visit in 18 yearsThe Pope has arrived in France for his first official visit in 18 years. This event signifies an important moment in international religious and diplomatic relations between the Holy See and France.arabnews.com · Saudi Arabia
WORLDSep 25France's Catholic influencers take faith from social media to real lifeCatholic influencers gathered hundreds of young people for an evening of prayer at Paris's Saint-Sulpice church ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit, highlighting how social media is becoming a new tool for evangelisation. As youth baptisms rise in France, creators say their goal is to turn online engagement into real-life communities, while Church leaders warn that influencers themselves should not overshadow the faith they promote.France 24 [en]
WORLDSep 25Pope starts his Apostolic Journey to FranceLeo welcomed by President Macron at Paris Orly Airport, says bringing message of peaceANSA [en]
WORLDSep 25Pope arrives in secular France with an appeal to respect the dignity of every human life - AP NewsPope warns a ‘paradise of machines’ could undermine humanity as he opens France trip AP NewsAP News
WORLDSep 25Pope heads to secular France with an appeal to respect the dignity of every human lifeThe Pope is traveling to secular France to advocate for respecting the dignity of every human life. This event highlights the intersection of religious leadership, international relations, and human rights discourse.rockymounttelegram.com · United States
WORLDSep 25Zidane stresses role as second fiddle to France players ahead of Turkey clashFrance's new head coach Zinedine Zidane has played down his own star status and put the focus firmly on his players as they prepare for his first match in charge against Turkey in Izmit on Friday night.RFI [en]
WORLDSep 25Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France: What you need to knowPope Leo XIV on Friday arrives in France for a four-day visit – his fifth Apostolic journey since becoming pontiff last year – during which he hopes to repair the Catholic Church’s standing after sexual abuse scandals while also addressing issues such as the need to regulate AI. FRANCE 24 guides you through his visit.France 24 [en]
WORLDSep 25Leo XIV, Trying to Be Everyone’s Pope, Heads to Secular FranceAfter visiting Africa, Pope Leo’s four-day trip to France shows how he is seeking to appeal to Roman Catholicism’s original heartlands as well as to the church’s newest strongholds.NYT World
WORLDSep 25Pope Leo to begin first visit to FrancePope Leo is scheduled to begin his first visit to France. This marks an important diplomatic and religious engagement for the pontiff.dailyliberal.com.au · Australia
WORLDSep 25Pope Leo visits secular France as surge of converts jolts a flagging faithTikTok-savvy Catholic priests and candlelight Masses ending with recruiters sharing QR codes are helping the unbaptized connect with their grandparents’ faith.Washington Post World
WORLDSep 25Wake-up service 25/9: Dutch Film Festival begins • Pope visits FranceGoedemorgen! Paus Leo XIV begint aan een vierdaags bezoek aan Frankrijk, en de rechtszaak gaat verder rondom de willekeurig doodgeschoten tieners in Amsterdam. Eerst het weer: na een frisse start is het vanmiddag flink zonnig en warm. De temperatuur stijgt naar 19 graden in het uiterste noorden tot lokaal 24 graden in het zuidoosten van het land. Daarbij staat vrij weinig wind. Ga je vandaag op pad? Hier vind je het overzicht van de files en wegwerkzaamheden en hier alles over de situatie op het spoor. Wat kun je vandaag verwachten? Wat heb je gemist? Premier Jetten heeft in een toespraak bij NOS Buitenland
WORLDSep 25A new adventure for Bernice takes young readers through difficult history – Fort Frances TimesA new book featuring the character Bernice aims to guide young readers through challenging historical events. This suggests a new cultural or educational publication addressing historical topics.fftimes.com · Canada
WORLDSep 24Turkiye vs France: UEFA Nations League – teams, kickoff time, lineupsZinedine Zidane brings 'aura' to his first France game as coach, against Turkiye in Nations League.Al Jazeera [en]
WORLDSep 24‘I feel immense emotion’ — Zidane ahead of first France matchZinedine Zidane has admitted the significance of taking charge of France for the first time as he prepares to begin his reign against Turkey in the Nations League on Friday. The post ‘I feel immense emotion’ — Zidane ahead of first France match appeared first on Vanguard News.Vanguard Nigeria
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