Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Pope Leo condemns religious justification for violence and nationalism
Pope Leo, the leader of the Catholic Church, recently spoke out against political leaders who use religion to justify violence and nationalism.
He said this is a serious sin and called on believers to resist such misuse of faith.
The pope also warned about the dangers of using artificial intelligence in warfare, stating that it goes against important human values.
He mentioned that global military spending has increased significantly, which he believes makes the world more unstable.
During his first trip abroad as pope, he also told religious leaders in Turkey to strongly reject using religion to justify war or violence.
Pope Leo has been talking about these issues since he was elected earlier this year.
Pope Leo condemned political leaders who invoke religion to justify conflicts or nationalist policies, calling it a form of blasphemy.
He urged believers to actively refute the misuse of faith for political battles and violence.
The pope warned against the use of artificial intelligence in warfare, stating it betrays humanist principles.
Global military expenditures increased by 9.4% in 2024, reaching $2.7 trillion, which Pope Leo lamented as deepening global instability.
During his first overseas trip as pope, Leo told Christian leaders in Turkey to reject the use of religion for justifying war or violence.
- Who
- Pope Leo
- What
- Condemned political leaders invoking religion for violence and nationalism, warned against AI in warfare, and lamented increasing military expenditures
- When
- Message released on December 18, 2024, ahead of the Catholic Church’s World Day of Peace on January 1, 2025
- Where
- Vatican City
- Why
- To resist the misuse of faith for political battles, nationalism, and violence, and to address the ethical implications of AI in warfare and global military spending
- Pope
- Pope Leo
- Issue
- Religious justification for violence and nationalism
- Warning
- Against AI in warfare and increasing military expenditures
- Global military spending
- $2.7 trillion (2.5% of global GDP) in 2024
- Increase in military spending
- 9.4% in 2024
- Pope's stance on AI
- Opposes AI in warfare, calls it a betrayal of humanism
- Pope's first overseas trip
- Turkey, condemned violence in the name of religion