Pope Leo XIV denounces AI-directed warfare, warns of 'spiral of annihilation'

Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful speech at Rome's La Sapienza University on May 14, 2026, marking the first papal visit to the campus since 2008. He sharply criticized the growing use of AI in warfare, stating that it was leading humanity toward a 'spiral of annihilation.' The American pope highlighted conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran as examples of the 'inhuman evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies.' He called for stricter monitoring of AI development to ensure it does not absolve humans of responsibility or exacerbate conflicts. Leo also denounced dramatic increases in military spending, particularly in Europe, which he said came at the expense of education and healthcare while enriching elites.

During his visit, Leo met with young Palestinian students who recently arrived in Italy through a 'humanitarian corridor' organized by the Italian government and Catholic organizations, part of an effort to provide education and medical care since the 2023 Gaza war. One student, Nada Rahim Jouda, described Rome as 'like heaven' but expressed concern for her family still in Gaza. The pope identified AI as one of the most critical issues facing humanity and is expected to expand on these themes in his first encyclical, due in the coming weeks. His address was warmly received at Sapienza, a stark contrast to the protests that forced Pope Benedict XVI to cancel a speech there in 2008.