Pope heads to secular France with an appeal to respect the dignity of every human life

Pope Leo XIV is taking his call to respect the dignity of every human life on the road with a weekend visit to France. VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV is taking his call to respect the dignity of every human life on the road with a weekend visit to France, where the Catholic Church has lost ground on influencing ethical issues as… He's hoping to draw attention to his appeals for peace at a time of war, and for greater reflection as artificial intelligence questions the very essence of what it means to be human.Church bells across France are expected to toll at 10 a.m.

Friday, when Leo’s charter flight lands at Paris’ Orly airport, and upward of a million people are expected to turn out to see him. The welcome has underscored the surprising level of interest in Leo’s visit, the first by a pope in 18 years.Leo was to meet with President Emmanuel Macron at the airport upon arrival and then again at the Élysée Palace. During his busiest day of the trip, Leo was to then deliver a speech at UNESCO headquarters, celebrate vespers at the newly reopened Notre-Dame cathedral and then preside over a massive youth vigil at the Paris stadium Friday night.A capstone visit as Macron's term endsFor Macron, who is barred from seeking a third term in May elections, hosting the American pope is something of a capstone, after Pope Francis refused repeatedly to make a proper state visit to France during his 12-year pontificate.“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.

It’s not new,” 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. Macron’s office said Friday’s meeting with Leo will provide an opportunity to discuss global challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence, along with European and international affairs. The talks also are expected to address end-of-life care and the protection of children.Leo to appeal to loftier questions about lifeLeo seems keen to emphasize Europe’s Christian roots and try to push the church’s message abo…