Pope Leo XIV addressed the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on Friday, September 25, marking the opening of his visit to France. Speaking at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the pontiff outlined a vision for international cooperation grounded in moral clarity and human dignity.

Renewing Trust in Global Institutions

The Holy See seeks to strengthen confidence in UNESCO and similar bodies amid what Leo XIV described as a crisis of trust and effectiveness within the global community. He characterized the organization as a “privileged partner in the service of the common good,” emphasizing that collaboration requires mutual respect rather than suspicion.

“Trust that differences do not necessarily constitute a threat,” the Pope said, urging delegates to view diversity as an asset rather than a source of division. He invoked the legacy of his predecessors—Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis—as well as the teachings of Vatican II and UNESCO’s founding constitution to frame this renewed commitment.

Technology and Human Dignity

A central theme of the address was the intersection of science, technology, and ethics. Leo XIV warned that scientific advancement pursued without ethical boundaries risks eroding human dignity. He specifically addressed artificial intelligence, noting that while algorithms can process data, they cannot answer fundamental questions about the meaning of life.

The Pope argued that education remains incomplete if it fails to address these existential dimensions. Citing Pope St. John Paul II’s 1980 address to UNESCO, he stressed that culture and truth are essential safeguards against technological exploitation.

Protecting the Vulnerable

Leo XIV called on the international community to shield children and young people from the harms of digital exploitation. He emphasized that protecting human rights in the digital age requires more than technical solutions; it demands a commitment to truth.

“Only the truth sets us free,” he concluded, linking intellectual honesty with moral freedom. The speech underscored the Vatican’s ongoing effort to engage international institutions not as political actors, but as partners in promoting the common good through ethical dialogue and shared values.