G7 Leaders Discuss China and AI with Pope Francis at Summit in Bari, Italy

The G7 leaders are wrapping up their annual summit in Bari, Italy, with China and artificial intelligence taking center stage. Pope Francis made a historic appearance to discuss AI with other world leaders, including the prime minister of India and the king of Jordan.

During the first day of talks, the G7 nations agreed on a deal to provide $50 billion in loans for Ukraine, backed by interest from frozen Russian assets. This move was hailed as a powerful signal of Western resolve in the face of Russian aggression.

China is expected to be the key issue on the final day of talks, with leaders expressing concern about China’s industrial capacity and support for Russia. The U.S. recently imposed sanctions on Chinese firms supplying semiconductors to Russia, highlighting growing tensions between the two superpowers.

The Pope will also hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, including President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed pride in hosting the historic event, which marks the first time a pontiff has attended a G7 summit.

Immigration will also be a topic of discussion, with Meloni pushing for European support in curbing illegal flows from Africa. The summit’s conclusions are expected to be approved at the end of the day, with bilateral meetings scheduled for those staying on for further discussions.

Overall, the G7 summit in Bari has been a crucial gathering of world leaders, addressing pressing issues such as Ukraine, China, and immigration, while also making history with the Pope’s participation in discussions on artificial intelligence.