Pope Leo warns of AI challenges before unexpected visit to Francis's graveTopic:Religious Leaders10h ago10 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 10:30pmThe new pope spent time at the tomb of his predecessor two days after his election.(AP: Vatican Media)In short:Visitors to the Roman basilica Santa Maria Maggiore have been delighted by a surprise visit from the new pope.Pope Leo XIV went to his predecessor's grave at the small Augustinian sanctuary after making his first official address to church leaders.What's next?Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on the Vatican on Sunday morning, local time, when the new pope presides over his first public Sunday prayer.Pope Leo XIV has spoken of the challenges posed by AI in his first official address to church leaders.After the meeting, Leo made a surprise visit to his predecessor's tomb, and then to a small Augustinian sanctuary about an hour out of Rome.Dressed in the white robes of the papacy and speaking fluent Italian, Leo addressed more than 100 of the church's cardinals, telling them they should look to continue the legacy of Pope Francis.The pontiff also discussed artificial intelligence, describing it as a challenge for working people and human dignity.Why 'Leo'?In explaining to cardinals why he chose his pontifical name, he alluded to the social upheaval AI could bring to the world.Pope Leo XIV arrives for his surprise visit to the Basilica of St Mary Major.(Reuters: Yara Nardi)"There are different reasons for this but mainly because Pope Leo XIII, in his historic encyclical, addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution," he said."I have sensed myself called upon to continue on the same path."That is why I've decided to take the name Leo XIV."After addressing the cardinals, Leo made an unexpected trip to Francis's grave.A flower for FrancisThe former pontiff had asked for his body to be entombed inside his favourite Roman basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major), rather than in the Vatican.Visitors were delighted by the unexpected sight of the new pope.Leo waved from the passenger side of a Volkswagen vehicle as he arrived.Inside the basilica, he walked slowly to Francis's tomb, laying a white flower on it.He then knelt in prayer for a few moments.Visitors shocked by visitLuisa Laganaro, from Turin, said she was inside the church when the pope arrived."We found ourselves with the pope, it was a huge, intense emotion," she said."My heart is still beating because, well, when will I have the chance again to find myself face to face with the pope?"It's really beautiful."Leo speaks to people gathered outside the Sanctuary of the Madre del Buon Consiglio (Mother of Good Counsel) in Genazzano, near Rome.(AP: Vatican Media)Leo also made an unannounced visit to the Sanctuary of the Madre del Buon Consiglio (Mother of Good Counsel) in Genazzano, near Rome.The late Pope Francis, who died on April 21, made surprise visits to Catholic sites near Rome quite frequently.He asked to be buried at St Mary Major in a simple tomb, decorated only with an inscription of the word "Franciscus", his name in Latin.Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on the Vatican on Sunday morning, local time, when the new pope presides over his first public Sunday prayer.ABC/wires