Pope Leo Warns of 'Spiral of Annihilation' from AI Warfare at La Sapienza University
Pope Leo XIV delivered a significant address at Rome’s La Sapienza University, marking the first papal visit to the campus since 2008. During the speech, the Pontiff strongly condemned the increasing integration of artificial intelligence and high-tech weaponry into modern conflicts, describing it as a "spiral of annihilation" that exacerbates human tragedy. He specifically highlighted ongoing wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran as examples of this inhuman evolution. Leo criticized the dramatic rise in military spending, particularly in Europe, arguing that it diverts essential resources from education and healthcare while enriching elites indifferent to the common good. He called for stricter monitoring of AI development to ensure humans remain responsible for their choices. The visit also featured a humanitarian element, as the Pope met with young Palestinian students who recently arrived in Italy via humanitarian corridors from Gaza. One student, Nada Rahim Jouda, shared her personal story of displacement and family hardship. The Pope emphasized that education and research must pivot towards valuing life and promoting peace, themes expected to be further explored in his upcoming encyclical.
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