Pope Francis (Photo: AFP/VNA)

"It is the first time in history that a pontiff will take part in the workings of a G7," Meloni said in a video message.

The G7 meeting will be held in the southern Italian region of Puglia from June 13-15 and draws together the leaders of the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Canada and Japan, as well as a few invited guests.

This week, Italy, which currently holds the rotating chair of the G7, approved a bill aimed at laying down ground rules for the use of AI, earmarking investment in the sector and setting sanctions for AI-related crimes.