Pope Leo XIV condemns European rearmament and denounces it as a "betrayal" of diplomacy.

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday strongly criticized the increase in military spending in Europe, calling it a "betrayal" of diplomacy. Speaking to students in Rome, the pontiff argued that the current rearmament risked further fueling global insecurity rather than strengthening peace.

The head of the Catholic Church denounced a policy he refuses to consider a genuine "defense." According to him, increased military budgets divert essential resources that could be devoted to education, healthcare, or international cooperation.

“Let us not call ‘defense’ a rearmament that increases tensions and insecurity,” the Pope declared during his visit to Sapienza University in Rome. He also asserted that this arms race betrays trust in diplomacy and primarily benefits elites “who do not care about the common good.”

These statements come amid a sharp rise in European military spending. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, this spending has increased by 14% by 2025, reaching $864 billion, largely due to the Russo-Ukrainian war and the accelerated rearmament of European NATO members.

The Pope also warned against the consequences of new technologies in armed conflicts. He expressed his concern about the increasing use of artificial intelligence in warfare, believing that these tools could increase the risks to civilian populations and further distance the world from a diplomatic solution to crises.

These pronouncements extend the criticisms already voiced in recent weeks by the pontiff regarding several international conflicts, notably the war involving Iran. His statements have sparked tensions with the administration of the American president. Donald Trump, in favor of strengthening Western military capabilities.