Séamus Boland Engages Pope Leo XIV on Poverty, AI, and Migration

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) president Séamus Boland engaged in a significant dialogue with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Saturday, addressing pressing issues including poverty, artificial intelligence (AI), and migration. Boland, a farmer from Ballycumber, Co Offaly, has held his position since October 2022, representing the interests of trade unions, employers, and civil society organizations in shaping EU policy.

The meeting was described by Boland as “an extraordinary honour.” He noted the Pope’s genuine concern for marginalized individuals, stating, “I met a very human Pope, a very human person, a person who seriously cares about people in disadvantage.” This empathy resonated particularly during discussions on poverty, which affects approximately 21% of people in Europe, translating to around 90 million individuals facing poverty and social exclusion.

Boland emphasized the urgency of rekindling the conversation around poverty eradication, recalling a robust EU initiative from 2010 to 2020. He pointed out that housing issues are significantly contributing to poverty, particularly among young and older populations. “We in the EESC have called for the EU to declare an emergency in terms of housing,” he remarked. “If current governments do not deliver real measures to get people back into housing, we are going to drive them away from democratic institutions.”

Concerns Over AI and Its Impact on Society

The conversation also touched on the implications of AI technologies, with Boland characterizing deepfake technologies as “the newest tragedy” affecting young individuals on social media. He mentioned that while the EU advocates for strong regulation of AI, global consensus remains elusive. “The mental health of young people is becoming a major issue,” he explained, “and again, the Pope shared empathy on the plight of young people in those circumstances.”

Boland expressed concern that advancements in AI could jeopardize the livelihoods of workers. He highlighted the necessity for urgent political action across Europe to manage the transformative impacts of AI on employment. He stated, “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.”

Migration Management and Human Dignity

During his visit, Boland also praised the ‘Angels Unaware’ sculpture in St Peter’s Square, unveiled in 2019 by the late Pope Francis, which honors migrants and refugees. He reiterated the Pope’s call for kindness towards foreigners and stressed the importance of managing migration effectively. “Managing migration badly can be a bigger threat to human dignity,” he asserted.

Boland emphasized that migration is an essential aspect of life and that many European countries rely on migrants. He argued against the notion of banning migration, advocating instead for its management with a focus on human dignity and rights. “What we don’t need is uncontrolled management of the system,” he cautioned, referencing the poor living conditions many migrants face.

Reflecting on the meeting, Boland conveyed the importance of integrating civil society into policymaking. He described how civil society organizations were pivotal in responding to Storm Éowyn, underscoring that their involvement should not be limited to disaster response but should extend to disaster preparedness.

Through this audience with Pope Leo XIV, Boland reiterated his commitment to ensuring that civil society voices are included in shaping policies that affect the most vulnerable populations across Europe.