Pope Leo XIV has criticised the rising global expenditure on arms, warning that increased militarisation is deepening insecurity and diverting resources away from essential social services such as education and healthcare.
The Pontiff made the remarks on Ascension Thursday during a visit to Sapienza University in Rome, where he addressed students on issues of peace, technology and global conflict.
According to him, the growing investment in weapons systems under the guise of “defence” is contributing to heightened global tensions and weakening trust in diplomacy.
“Let us not call ‘defence’ a rearmament that increases tensions and insecurity, impoverishes investment in education and health, denies trust in diplomacy, and enriches elites that care nothing for the common good,” Leo said.
The Pope lamented what he described as a world increasingly shaped by conflict and hostile rhetoric, saying humanity was witnessing a “pollution of reason” that was affecting both global relations and everyday social interactions.
He further warned against the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in modern warfare, describing it as part of what he called an “inhuman evolution” of conflict.
Citing ongoing conflicts in regions including Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, he said the integration of advanced technologies into warfare risked accelerating cycles of destruction.
The Pontiff urged young people to become advocates for peace, encouraging them to act as “artisans of true peace” in their societies.
In recent weeks, Pope Leo has drawn criticism from United States President Donald Trump, following his repeated calls for peace and condemnation of global wars.
Trump reportedly responded to the Pope’s comments through posts on his Truth Social platform, intensifying public debate over the Vatican’s stance on global security issues.
