Pope Leo XIV Urges UN to Ban Lethal Autonomous Weapons, Calls for AI Disarmament

Pope Leo XIV has issued a powerful call for the disarmament of artificial intelligence, urging United Nations member states to take concrete steps toward banning lethal autonomous weapons. In his Friday Papal Address, the pontiff declared that AI systems should be "disarmed," emphasizing that humans "have the responsibility to guide, change and, when necessary, reject its applications." His remarks come ahead of a critical UN meeting in Geneva next month, where member states are expected to discuss the regulation of autonomous weapons systems. The Pope's intervention underscores growing global concern over the ethical implications of AI in warfare. By framing AI as a tool rather than a person, he highlights the need for human oversight and moral accountability. "Machines are tools, not persons," he stated, reinforcing the Vatican's position that life-and-death decisions must remain under human control. This address aligns with broader efforts by religious leaders and advocacy groups to establish international norms against killer robots. The Pope's moral authority could galvanize diplomatic momentum, especially among countries with strong Catholic populations. As the Geneva meeting approaches, his call adds pressure on world leaders to forge a binding treaty. The coming weeks will test whether nations can translate ethical appeals into actionable policy. The Pope's message is clear: the future of warfare—and humanity—depends on keeping machines from making lethal choices.