ROME — Pope Leo XIV issued a stark warning against the growing use of artificial intelligence in military operations on Thursday, describing it as a path toward a “spiral of annihilation.” Speaking at Rome’s La Sapienza University, the pontiff became the first pope to address the institution since Benedict XVI cancelled a planned visit in 2008 amid faculty protests.
The American-born pope focused his remarks on the ethical implications of AI, particularly in warfare, and called for greater oversight of how the technology is developed and deployed. “What is happening in Ukraine, in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, in Lebanon, and in Iran illustrates the inhuman evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies in a spiral of annihilation,” he said.
Military Spending vs. Social Investment
Leo highlighted the sharp increase in defence budgets across Europe, noting that funds are being diverted from education and healthcare while “enriching elites who care nothing for the common good.” His comments come as European NATO members boost defence spending by 14% in 2025, Germany leads, a trend the pope argued undermines long-term societal stability.
The pope urged that AI development must not “absolve humans of responsibility for their choices” or “exacerbate the tragedy of conflicts.” He called for robust monitoring mechanisms in both military and civilian contexts to ensure technology serves humanity rather than the reverse.
These themes are expected to feature prominently in Leo’s first encyclical, due for release in the coming weeks. The document will likely outline the Vatican’s stance on AI as one of the most critical issues facing humanity, especially its application in warfare and everyday life.
Humanitarian Gesture Amid Conflict
The pope’s visit also carried a symbolic dimension. He met a group of young Palestinian students who arrived in Italy this week through a “humanitarian corridor” from Gaza, organised by the Italian government in collaboration with Catholic organisations. Since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023, Italy has brought hundreds of Palestinians to study and receive medical care.
Leo greeted the students in the campus chapel and again after his speech in the main lecture hall of La Sapienza, which was founded by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303. The encounter underscored the pope’s call for peace and justice in the Middle East, a region he described as suffering from the “inhuman evolution” of conflict technology.
The pontiff’s broader message resonated beyond the lecture theatre. He argued that education and research must pivot toward valuing life — “the lives of peoples who cry out for peace and justice.” This aligns with growing concerns across Europe about the ethical dimensions of AI, particularly as global powers like the US and China prioritise AI warfare and cybersecurity.
Leo’s visit to La Sapienza marked a significant moment for the university, which had previously been a site of tension between academia and the Vatican. The warm reception on Thursday suggested a thaw in relations, with students and faculty alike engaging with the pope’s critique of modern warfare.
As Europe grapples with rising defence budgets and the ethical challenges of AI, the pope’s intervention adds a moral dimension to a debate often dominated by strategic and economic considerations. His call for a reorientation of priorities — away from military spending and toward education, healthcare, and peace — may resonate with a continent increasingly wary of the costs of conflict.
