On the topic of migrants and refugees, EESC President Séamus Boland said after meeting with Pope Leo XIV: “We wholeheartedly concur with Pope Leo’s call for kindness toward foreigners and will continue to advocate for coordinated, humane policies that uphold dignity, inclusion and the rule of law”. The rise of artificial intelligence was also at the centre of the discussion. President Boland emphasized that “this must not come at the expense of workers’ rights”. He shares a commitment with Pope Leo XIV “to ensuring that humans – not machines – remain in control of decisions that affect people’s lives, and that AI serves as a tool for empowerment rather than displacement”. According to a statement from the European Economic and Social Committee, the meeting “underscored the vital role of civil society organizations in building bridges within communities and combating prejudice and discrimination – values shared by the EESC and the Holy See”. According to President Boland, “faith-based organizations, charities, community groups, and social partners are the fabric of our societies – knitting together individuals and communities and building bridges”. “The path forward is clear”, President Boland concluded. “If Europe chooses compassion, dignity, and inclusion, we will not only reduce poverty – we will renew hope, strengthen democracy, and build a fairer and better Europe for everyone”.