The Holy See complains about record-high military spending

By Lisa Zengarini

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia has again called on the international community to focus on disarmament and peace rather than fueling further violence through military spending and new weapons technologies.

Weapons of mass destruction in slow motion

During a thematic discussion on conventional weapons at the United Nations General Assembly on October 24, the Vatican Permanent Observer reiterated the Holy See’s deep concern about the continued increase in the use, sale and trafficking of these weapons, which leads to violence, death and violence contribute to injuries in conflicts, crime areas and through terrorist activities.

“As the world faces a third world war, fighting piecemeal, the illicit proliferation and misuse of conventional weapons has become one of the most pressing security problems at the national, regional and global levels,” he said, describing these weapons as “ Mass weapons.” “Destruction in slow motion” that is responsible for significant loss of life and community destabilization.

Unprecedented increase in global military spending

Archbishop Caccia also reiterated the Holy See’s concern about the dramatic increase in global military spending, which reached a record $2.24 trillion in 2022.

Echoing Pope Francis, he insisted that the significant resources currently wasted on weapons that cause destruction and harm “could be used to achieve real global security or invested in eradicating poverty, hunger and malnutrition.”

The ethical challenges of autonomous weapons

While acknowledging the positive international disarmament efforts, particularly the Program of Action (POA) on small arms and light weapons, and welcoming the political declaration on explosive weapons in populated areas, Archbishop Caccia warned of new ethical challenges, particularly with regard to the development of autonomous weapons without human weapons Supervision. In this context, he reiterated the Holy See’s support for a legally binding instrument banning such weapons by 2026 and, in the meantime, called on all States to refrain from developing these technologies “since they will never be morally responsible subjects and the public conscience can hurt.” . ”