Pope Leo XIV Speaks Out Against AI Warfare During Visit to Rome's Sapienza University
During his visit to Europe’s largest university, Pope Leo XIV called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, while also denouncing investments in artificial intelligence and high-tech weaponry.
ROME: Pope Leo XIV addressed the pressing issues of warfare and technological advancements during his speech at Rome's La Sapienza University on Thursday.
This marked the first visit by a pope to the campus since Pope Benedict XVI was set to address students but later canceled due to protests in 2008.The American pontiff emphasized the escalating military spending across Europe, particularly this year, which he argues is diverting funds from essential sectors like education and healthcare.
Instead, these resources are enriching elites who prioritize personal gain over the common good.During his speech, Leo called for more rigorous monitoring of artificial intelligence development and utilization in both civilian and military contexts.
He urged that AI must not absolve individuals of their responsibilities or exacerbate the severity of global conflicts.
The Pope's concerns extend to the evolving relationship between warfare and technology, which he believes is spiraling into a catastrophic cycle of destruction.Among the attendees were young Palestinians from Gaza who have arrived in Italy as part of a ‘humanitarian corridor’ initiative.
This program, supported by the Italian government in collaboration with Catholic organizations, aims to provide these students with opportunities for education and medical care since the 2023 Israeli-Hamas conflict.Nada Rahim Jouda, a 19-year-old business science student from Gaza, expressed her gratitude towards Italy, describing Rome as 'heaven' after escaping the strife of her home country.
However, despite her newfound freedom to pursue her studies in peace, Jouda remains deeply concerned for her family's well-being back in Gaza.
Her mother, who is recovering from leukemia, and her younger sisters aged 17 and 13 were forced to relocate multiple times during the conflict, depriving them of necessary medical care.Pope Leo XIV’s visit and speech at Sapienza University highlight his commitment to fostering a world where education, justice, and peace take precedence over destructive technologies and weaponry.
This marked the first visit by a pope to the campus since Pope Benedict XVI was set to address students but later canceled due to protests in 2008.The American pontiff emphasized the escalating military spending across Europe, particularly this year, which he argues is diverting funds from essential sectors like education and healthcare.
Instead, these resources are enriching elites who prioritize personal gain over the common good.During his speech, Leo called for more rigorous monitoring of artificial intelligence development and utilization in both civilian and military contexts.
He urged that AI must not absolve individuals of their responsibilities or exacerbate the severity of global conflicts.
The Pope's concerns extend to the evolving relationship between warfare and technology, which he believes is spiraling into a catastrophic cycle of destruction.Among the attendees were young Palestinians from Gaza who have arrived in Italy as part of a ‘humanitarian corridor’ initiative.
This program, supported by the Italian government in collaboration with Catholic organizations, aims to provide these students with opportunities for education and medical care since the 2023 Israeli-Hamas conflict.Nada Rahim Jouda, a 19-year-old business science student from Gaza, expressed her gratitude towards Italy, describing Rome as 'heaven' after escaping the strife of her home country.
However, despite her newfound freedom to pursue her studies in peace, Jouda remains deeply concerned for her family's well-being back in Gaza.
Her mother, who is recovering from leukemia, and her younger sisters aged 17 and 13 were forced to relocate multiple times during the conflict, depriving them of necessary medical care.Pope Leo XIV’s visit and speech at Sapienza University highlight his commitment to fostering a world where education, justice, and peace take precedence over destructive technologies and weaponry.
