Séamus Boland Engages Pope Leo XIV on Urgent Global Issues

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) president Séamus Boland met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Saturday, where they addressed critical issues including poverty, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), and migration. Boland, a civil society activist and farmer from Ballycumber, Co Offaly, expressed that the meeting was “an extraordinary honour,” emphasizing the Pope’s deep empathy for the topics discussed.

During their conversation, Boland highlighted the urgent issue of poverty affecting around 21% of the European population, equating to approximately 90 million people. He noted a significant gap in the EU’s focus on poverty eradication since a period of concerted efforts from 2010 to 2020. Boland remarked, “This is a debate that needs to be rekindled again,” underlining the pressing need for renewed initiatives.

Housing emerged as a particularly critical concern, with Boland stating, “Housing across Europe is causing enormous poverty among young, working people and older people.” He called for the EU to declare a housing emergency, warning that failure to address this issue could alienate citizens from democratic institutions. “If current governments don’t deliver real measures to get people back into housing, we are going to drive them away from democratic institutions,” he asserted.

AI’s Impact on Society and Employment

The discussion also turned to AI, which Boland described as presenting “the newest tragedy,” particularly with the rise of deepfake technology. He emphasized the EU’s commitment to strong regulations on AI, pointing out the lack of global consensus on the matter. “The mental health of young people is becoming a major issue,” he said, reflecting on the Pope’s shared concern for youth affected by these challenges.

Boland highlighted the potential impact of AI on employment, cautioning that reliance on technology could undermine various professional fields, including health care and journalism. He argued that political leaders across Europe must act urgently to manage the transition in employment brought about by AI advancements. “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 commented.

Migration and Human Dignity

During his visit, Boland also praised the ‘Angels Unaware’ sculpture located in St Peter’s Square, a tribute to migrants and refugees unveiled in 2019 by the late Pope Francis. He reiterated the Pope’s message about the importance of kindness towards foreigners, stating, “Managing migration badly can be a bigger threat to human dignity.”

Boland called for a comprehensive debate on migration, noting that many European countries require migrant workers. He cautioned against uncontrolled migration that fails to uphold human dignity, urging that the focus should be on proper management rather than outright bans. “Migration is an essential part of normal life; it always has been,” he affirmed.

Reflecting on his meeting with the Pope, Boland emphasized the necessity of integrating civil society into the policymaking process. He shared an example of how civil society organizations were pivotal in the response to Storm Éowyn, stating, “The place for civil society is not always at the end result, dealing with the disaster, but in the planning for the disaster.”

Overall, Boland’s audience with Pope Leo XIV underscored a shared commitment to addressing pressing global issues, reinforcing the vital role of civil society in shaping effective policy responses.