Pope Leo arrives in France with AI, apologies for clergy abuse on agenda
PARIS — Pope Leo arrived in France on Friday for a whirlwind four-day visit, saying he wished to be a pilgrim of peace for a world at war, on a trip during which he is also hoping to repair the Catholic Church's standing after abuse scandals. Leo was greeted at the Paris Orly airport, under a clear blue sky, by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, and by children who sang for him and asked for autographs. He will also travel to the famed Catholic shrine at Lourdes, in the southwest, and to Metz, on the German border. During the Sept. 25-28 trip, he is set to renew calls for global rules on artificial intelligence (AI) development, while laying out a vision for Europe's future. Telling reporters on the plane to Paris that he was coming to convey a message of peace, Leo added: "It is a message which at this time, as we all may know, is particularly important." Leading Leo's agenda on Friday are speeches to Macron and other French leaders at the Elysee Palace and to staff at the headquarters of the U.N. culture and education body, UNESCO, which is facing budget shortfalls afte
