The pope criticized investments in artificial intelligence and high-tech weaponry, warning they push the world toward a spiral of annihilation and calling for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine during a visit to Rome’s Sapienza University.

He urged stricter monitoring of AI development and use in both military and civilian contexts to ensure human responsibility in decision-making and to prevent worsening conflicts.

Leo criticized rising European military spending, arguing it diverts funds from essential public services like education and healthcare.

Addressing students, he said young people are not defined by numbers or algorithms, describing humanity as a desire rather than an algorithm and highlighting pressures faced by youth.

He urged a spiritual alliance grounded in justice among the young, stressing that youth should be architects of true peace that disarms and fosters harmony among peoples and protects the environment.

The visit included four Palestinian students studying at Sapienza, a collaboration between Sapienza, the Diocese of Rome, and the Community of Sant’Egidio, marking a notable moment of dialogue and inclusion.

He urged students to become architects of true peace and referenced an upcoming encyclical on AI, tentatively titled Magnifica Humanitas, focusing on protecting worker dignity amid technological change.

Leo highlighted climate change as a persistent challenge, urging action beyond good intentions and transforming restlessness into prophetic effort.

He called on university students to become architects of true peace and contribute to peace efforts amid conflicts including Ukraine, Gaza, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Iran.

The article notes potential political relevance of ongoing confrontations for Trump in upcoming U.S. midterm elections, citing expert Robert Jones on how losses among white Evangelicals or Catholics could affect swing-state outcomes.

The address framed disarmament and peace as essential over mere defense, urging investments in education and health rather than militarization.

The pope expressed concern for the well-being of many young people, citing stress from societal expectations and performance pressures, and criticized a system that reduces people to numbers and fuels anxiety.