New York: The Holy See has raised a stark warning about the mounting dangers of the global arms race, emphasizing that humanity itself is at risk. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, addressed the General Debate of the First Committee of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, urging world leaders to recommit to disarmament and revitalize multilateral dialogue to safeguard the future of humanity.
Archbishop Caccia invoked the haunting memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, noting that eighty years after the atomic bombings and the founding of the United Nations, the ideals of diplomacy and multilateralism are under threat. âWe are witnessing a perilous resurgence of force and fear as ways to resolve disputes,â he said, warning that trust and dialogue are eroding, economies are suffering, and vulnerable populations are bearing the heaviest toll.
Citing Pope Leo XIV, the archbishop denounced the illusion that security can be achieved through military might. âHow can we continue to betray the desire of the worldâs peoples for peace with propaganda about weapons buildup, as if military supremacy will resolve problems rather than fuel hatred and revenge?â he asked.
Expressing grave concern over the renewed rhetoric surrounding nuclear weapons and the expansion of arsenals, Archbishop Caccia described a ânew arms raceâ driven by artificial intelligence integration into military systems and the extension of strategic competition into space. âThese developments pose an unprecedented danger to humanity,â he said, urging the international community to move beyond the illusory logic of nuclear deterrence.
The archbishop called for genuine negotiations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), pressing all nuclear-armed states to fulfill their disarmament obligations. He also highlighted the importance of ratifying international instruments like the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) to reduce the global nuclear threat.
Beyond nuclear weapons, Archbishop Caccia highlighted the devastating human cost of conventional arms. He condemned the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the lingering threat of landmines, and the widespread proliferation of small arms and light weapons that destabilize fragile communities.
The archbishop also warned about the emergence of lethal autonomous weapons systems, which operate without meaningful human control and challenge legal, ethical, and humanitarian boundaries. He urged Member States to support the UN Secretary-Generalâs call for a legally binding treaty banning such weapons by 2026, before they inflict irreparable harm.
Highlighting global military spending of $2.7 trillion in 2024, Archbishop Caccia stressed the moral imperative to redirect resources from weapons to human development, including poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare. âThere is still time to change course,â he said, urging nations to adopt a new perspective one rooted in human dignity, respect for human rights, and integral human development, rather than reliance on arms.
Archbishop Cacciaâs address underscores the Holy Seeâs longstanding commitment to peace and international cooperation, warning that humanityâs survival depends not on weapons, but on dialogue, diplomacy, and a shared moral vision for the future.