Europe

Pope Leo XIV Tells French Leaders Right to Life Is Foundation of Every Other Human Right

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of an archival May 2025 U.S. State Department photograph of Pope Leo XIV in white robes waving from an open white popemobile past a cheering crowd with phones and flags in St. Peter's Square on the day of his inauguration Mass, flanked by dark-suited security; contextual portrait, not his September 25, 2026 address at the Élysée Palace in Paris, rendered in warm ochre and slate-blue pastel strokes.

Pope Leo XIV told French authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps at the Élysée Palace in Paris on September 25 that "the protection of the right to life constitutes the indispensable foundation of every other human right." On his apostolic journey to France, he voiced concern at trends that risk turning science and technology into profit-driven ventures promoting genetic manipulation, surrogacy, the trade in human organs or the possibility of arranging one's own death. He said France is called to remain "a tireless champion of peace and multilateralism." President Emmanuel Macron received him; the Élysée said their talks covered climate, artificial intelligence, the war in Ukraine and peace in the Middle East.

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