What does it mean to be human? King Leo XIV’s response at UNESCO

Pope Leo XIV addressed the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris on Friday, September 25, 2026. After lunch at the Vatican embassy in France, the Pope traveled to the UNESCO headquarters where Director-General Khaled El-Enany welcomed him.

During his speech, the Pope spoke to representatives of member and observer states, international organizations, and civil society. He noted that the effort to build a just world serves as the foundation for international cooperation. He stated that sharing expertise and experiences helps create an environment where individuals can flourish and peoples can live in peace and prosperity.