Pope Leo in France, to discuss AI and Europe's future

Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, arrived in France on Friday for a four-day visit. This is his first official visit to France since being elected Pope last year.

It is also the first official visit to France by a Vatican head since Pope Benedict XVI's in September 2008. Church bells rang across France as the Pope's plane landed near Paris at around 10am local time.

President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte welcomed the 71-year-old Pope at the airport. The Pope's paternal grandmother was born in France.

Speaking to journalists on the plane, the Pope said he was traveling as a follower of Christ who wishes to proclaim Christ's peace in France, as elsewhere in the world.

During the visit, he will discuss and address topics including artificial intelligence (AI) and Europe's future agenda. A meeting with young people of faith is also on the program.