Pope Leo XIV denounces arms race, AI weapons, slams Trump

Pope Leo XIV used a peace lecture at Sapienza University in Rome to condemn the worldwide increase in military spending and the growing role of artificial intelligence in warfare. He argued that "an arms buildup that expands tension and insecurity cannot be called defence" and warned that such trends poison education, health, diplomacy and the future.

The Pope specifically linked the criticism to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose push for higher NATO defence spending and aggressive rhetoric have been a focal point of the Vatican’s recent comments. Trump responded on his Truth Social platform, stating he is "not a fan of Pope Leo" and describing the pontiff as weak on crime and a disaster in foreign policy.

The exchange highlights a broader clash between religious advocacy for peace and the political leadership of a major NATO power over militarisation and emerging war technologies.