Pope Leo has condemned the sharp rise in European military spending, calling it a betrayal of diplomacy and a threat to global stability. Speaking to university students in Rome, he criticized the push for rearmament amid ongoing conflicts, arguing that labeling such increases as defense spending is misleading and harmful.

He warned that expanding military budgets heightens tensions, diverts resources from education and health, and enriches elites rather than serving the common good. Military expenditure across Europe rose significantly in 2025, reaching 864 billion dollars, driven in part by the war between Russia and Ukraine and pressure from the United States for higher contributions from its allies.

The pope also cautioned against the growing use of artificial intelligence in warfare, describing it as part of an inhumane evolution of conflict. Urging students not to retreat into ideology or nationalism, he called on them to become 'artisans of true peace' and to renew trust in diplomacy.