Criticism of surrogacy and organ trafficking
At the Élysée Palace, Leo expressed concern about “how societies are currently drifting in the wrong direction and risk turning science and technology into profit-making ventures that promote genetic manipulation, surrogacy, organ trafficking or the offer of planned death.” In view of the concerns about a predominance of artificial intelligence, he warned of a “paradise of machines”.
Since this summer, euthanasia for seriously ill people has been permitted in France according to strictly defined rules: The new law gives terminally ill patients the option of assisted suicide if they are suffering from unbearable suffering. France was also the first country to include the right to abortion in its constitution. Leo is a strict opponent.
Also meeting with victims of abuse
After the Élysée Palace, the Pope visited the UN cultural organization Unesco, which is based in Paris. There he urged people to use the media responsibly. “Without truth, language is actually subject to the logic of violence and the arbitrariness of the powerful,” he said. “Instead of respecting the law, those in power invoke it when it serves their interests and disregard it when it restricts them.”
In a spectacularly staged vespers service especially for young people in France’s national stadium that evening, the Pope called for humanity and the fight for justice in front of around 80,000 visitors. It is not enough to avoid evil, said the Pope in the stadium in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. “You have to choose the good.” Justice and charity are important. More than half a million people have registered for a trade fair on the Place de la Concorde below the Champs-Élysées on Saturday.
Other stops include the pilgrimage site of Lourdes in the southwest, where Leo wants to meet with victims of sexual abuse by clergy, and the city of Metz, not far from the German-French border. The pontiff from the USA wants to give a speech on Europe there. There is no date for a trip to Germany yet. But Leo already has several invitations to visit Germany.
High security traffic: 14,000 officers on duty
Because of the stay, high security precautions apply. 14,000 officers are on duty. Many streets in Paris were already closed in the morning. On the arrival of the Pope Airport Orly church bells rang across the country. Thousands waved on the side of the road. 33-year-old Élodie told broadcaster BFMTV: “It was a dream for me to see the Pope one day.”
