Belgian Press Review: Pope Calls for AI to Be Disarmed, Football Violence Shakes League
Belgian newspapers on Tuesday lead with three major stories dominating the national conversation: Pope Leo XIV’s landmark encyclical calling for artificial intelligence to be “disarmed,” violent incidents that marred the Standard-Charleroi football match, and a growing debate over whether Belgium’s public holidays should be reformed in an increasingly secular society. The RTBF synthesizes editorials from outlets across Belgium’s French- and Dutch-language press.
Pope Leo XIV’s “Magnifica Humanitas” Targets AI
Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”), on Monday, dedicating the 130-page document primarily to the rise of artificial intelligence. The Pope warned that AI must be “disarmed” to prevent it from becoming “an instrument of domination, exclusion and death,” as Deutsche Welle reported.
The encyclical addresses deepfakes, information manipulation, mass surveillance, and the normalization of war through AI-powered weapons systems. The Pope also warned about “new forms of slavery” linked to the technology, including content moderation workers exposed to traumatic material and children mining rare earth minerals needed for digital infrastructure. According to Al Jazeera, the pontiff insisted that ownership of AI data must not be left solely in private hands and called for “robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users and a political system that does not abdicate its responsibility.”
Christopher Olah, co-founder of Anthropic — the company behind the Claude AI model — attended the Vatican presentation. Olah acknowledged that AI companies operate “inside a set of incentives and constraints that can sometimes conflict with doing the right thing” and welcomed input from outside actors like the Catholic Church to “push events in a better direction.”
The Flemish newspaper De Morgen ran an editorial titled “The Pope is Right,” supporting the encyclical’s position. The editorial noted that a recent study shows nearly one in three teenagers prefers an AI friend, citing examples of people in the Netherlands, New York, and Toronto who have formed romantic relationships with chatbots.
Belgian Football Rocked by Violence at Standard-Charleroi
A match between Standard de Liège and Sporting Charleroi on Saturday ended with violent incidents on the pitch and in the stands at the Stade de Sclessin. After Charleroi’s 0-2 victory, players celebrated in front of their supporters, who threw a flag onto the pitch. A Standard supporter invaded the field to seize it, sparking clashes involving players, staff — including Standard manager Marc Wilmots — and fans from both sides.
The Belgian football union (URBSFA) opened an investigation, as RTBF reported. Pro League CEO Lorin Parys condemned the perpetrators as “imbeciles who take football hostage,” calling the violence “criminality.” Belgian Minister Bernard Quintin described it as “a shame for Belgian football.”
Standard’s general manager Pierre François announced that future Standard-Charleroi matches would be played without visiting supporters. The French-language newspaper L’Avenir wrote: “Not the same jersey, but the same stupidity,” while La Dernière Heure asked: “Will it take a death before we act? Our Belgian football is sick with its extremists.”
Debate Over Public Holidays in a Secular Society
The Flemish newspaper De Standaard questioned why six out of ten Belgian public holidays remain linked to Christian doctrine in a highly secularized society. May alone features three Christian holidays — Ascension, Pentecost, and another. CD&V president Sammy Mahdi was reportedly unable to explain the meaning of Pentecost when asked two years ago.
The proposal under discussion is to transfer holiday dates rather than add new ones. Flanders could adopt July 11 (Flemish Community Day), while the Brussels Region could adopt May 8 (Iris Day), celebrating the victory of democracy over fascism.
Analysis: A Converging Debate on AI Ethics
The convergence of criticism toward AI from both secular and religious figures is a notable development. Former President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV both expressing concerns reflects a growing cross-cultural consensus that AI poses significant societal risks. That a generally secular Flemish newspaper like De Morgen would headline its editorial “The Pope is Right” underscores how concerns about AI transcend traditional ideological divides.
Meanwhile, the football violence and public holidays debates highlight Belgium’s ongoing negotiation between tradition and reform — on the pitch, in the legislature, and in the broader society.
What to Watch
The URBSFA investigation into the Standard-Charleroi incidents is expected to deliver findings within the coming week. The Vatican’s encyclical is likely to influence ongoing AI regulation discussions in the European Union. And the public holiday debate may gain traction as Belgium approaches its national day celebrations in July.