Séamus Boland Discusses Poverty, AI, and Migration with Pope Leo XIV

Séamus Boland, president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Saturday, where they engaged in discussions about poverty, the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), and migration issues. Boland, a farmer and civil society activist from Ballycumber, Co Offaly, expressed that it was “an extraordinary honour” to have an audience with the Pope, who demonstrated a deep empathy for the pressing matters they addressed.

The conversation highlighted the urgent issue of poverty affecting approximately 21 percent of the European population, translating to nearly 90 million people facing social exclusion. Boland reflected on the European Union’s initiatives from 2010 to 2020 aimed at eradicating poverty, emphasizing the need to rekindle this vital debate. He noted, “We didn’t discuss housing today, but housing across Europe is causing enormous poverty among young, working people and older people.” He underscored the EESC’s call for the EU to declare a housing emergency, as the inability to secure affordable housing may lead to increased extremism.

Boland cautioned that without concrete actions from governments and the EU Commission, disillusionment with democratic institutions could rise. “We talk about Europe being the biggest peace project on Earth. Well, we’re driving people away because we’re not delivering, and that really needs to be tackled,” he stated.

Concerns Over AI’s Impact

The discussion also turned to the implications of AI technologies. Boland described AI-generated deepfakes as “the newest tragedy,” particularly for young people navigating social media. He praised the EU’s strong stance on the need for substantial regulations regarding AI, while acknowledging that global consensus on this issue remains elusive.

“The mental health of young people is becoming a major issue, and again, the Pope shared empathy on the plight of young people in those circumstances,” Boland noted. He also addressed the potential impact of AI on employment, asserting that complacency among political leaders could result in unprecedented job losses. He stated, “We need a greater sense of urgency from political leaders around Europe, not just in the EU Commission, in terms of how we manage the change of employment.”

Boland dismissed comparisons between AI and historical innovations like Gutenberg’s printing press, urging for immediate protective measures for workers affected by automation. “If we ignore the livelihoods of workers who lose their jobs because of AI, we are creating a spike in unemployment almost at rates we’ve never known before,” he warned.

Migration and Human Dignity

During his visit, Boland admired the ‘Angels Unaware’ sculpture in St Peter’s Square, a monument dedicated to migrants and refugees unveiled in 2019 by the late Pope Francis. He emphasized the necessity for a constructive debate on migration, arguing that mismanaged migration poses a significant threat to human dignity.

“Migration is an essential part of normal life; it always has been. The problem is always that we mismanage it,” he remarked. Boland called for a balanced approach that respects human rights and dignity, rather than a blanket ban on migration.

Reflecting on the meeting’s significance, Boland conveyed his commitment to integrating civil society into the policymaking process. He highlighted how civil society organizations were first responders during Storm Éowyn, illustrating the need for proactive involvement in disaster planning rather than reactive measures post-crisis.

This meeting underscores the importance of addressing critical social issues through dialogue and collaboration, as Boland seeks to ensure that civil society is at the forefront of EU policy discussions.