Sheinbaum seeks visit from Pope Leon XIV to Mexico

President Claudia Sheinbaum met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Aug. 5 ^[1] to request a visit from Pope Leon XIV.

The meeting signals Mexico's desire to align with the Vatican not only on spiritual and humanitarian grounds, but also on the governance of emerging technologies. Sheinbaum views the pontiff as a critical voice in the global effort to manage the ethical implications of digital platforms.

During the meeting at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City, Sheinbaum emphasized that the Pope is a global reference in the debate over the regulation of artificial intelligence. She said his presence in Mexico would be significant because of this leadership in tech policy.

Beyond technology, the president noted the spiritual importance of such a visit for believers across the country. She said the Pope is an international reference on humanitarian issues.

"El Papa está gratamente invitado a nuestro país," Sheinbaum said.

Sheinbaum said to officials that the pontiff has become a worldwide authority on how to regulate the use of AI. This focus suggests that the Mexican government intends to integrate the Vatican's humanitarian framework into its own discussions regarding digital ethics, and platform oversight.

"Su presencia sería muy importante porque el Papa se ha convertido en un referente mundial en el debate para la regulación del uso de la inteligencia artificial," Sheinbaum said.

The request to Cardinal Parolin serves as a formal push for the Vatican to prioritize a trip to Mexico. The administration believes the visit would provide a platform for discussing the intersection of faith, human rights, and the rapid evolution of AI.