Pope Leo XIV has criticised the growing wave of military spending across Europe, describing it as a betrayal of diplomacy and a threat to global peace.
Speaking during a visit to Rome’s Sapienza University on Thursday, the pontiff warned that the increasing push for rearmament would only deepen insecurity instead of promoting stability.
“Let us not call ‘defence’ a rearmament that increases tensions and insecurity,” Pope Leo said while addressing students at the university.
The Pope argued that huge investments in weapons were draining resources that should be channelled into healthcare, education and diplomacy.
According to him, the world is already being “maimed by wars,” and expanding military budgets would only worsen global tensions.
His comments come as European nations continue to increase defence spending amid pressure from US President Donald Trump and ongoing concerns over the Russia-Ukraine war.
Recent reports showed military spending across Europe rose sharply in 2025, reaching levels not seen since the Cold War era. Trump has repeatedly urged NATO allies to commit more funds to defence, backing a target of five percent of GDP for member nations.
Pope Leo also raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence in modern warfare. He cited conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran as examples of how technology is reshaping war in dangerous ways.
According to him, the use of AI in battlefields reflects “the inhumane evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies in a spiral of annihilation.”
The pontiff urged young people not to isolate themselves through ideology or nationalism, calling on them instead to become “artisans of true peace.”
Pope Leo has increasingly spoken out on global conflicts in recent weeks, including criticism of the ongoing Iran war, remarks that have reportedly drawn backlash from Trump and some Western leaders.
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