Trending Now - Pope Warns AI Warfare Could Trigger a Cycle of Destruction

WHO:

ABC News Tech - Pope Leo XIV denounced investments in AI and high-tech weaponry.

Yahoo - Young Palestinians, including Nada Rahim Jouda, met Pope Leo XIV during his visit.

WHAT:

ABC News Tech - Pope Leo XIV warned that investments in AI and high-tech weaponry lead to a “spiral of annihilation.”

Yahoo - The pope called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine during his speech.

Yahoo - Military spending has increased dramatically this year, especially in Europe, at the expense of education and healthcare.

Yahoo - The pope stated that he will explore themes related to AI in his first encyclical, due to be released in the coming weeks.

WHERE:

ABC News Tech - The pope delivered his speech at La Sapienza University in Rome.

Yahoo - The university was founded by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303.

WHEN:

Yahoo - This was the first time a pope visited La Sapienza University since Pope Benedict XVI canceled a planned speech there in 2008.

WHY:

Yahoo - The pope criticized military spending for enriching elites who care nothing for the common good.

Yahoo - He emphasized the need for better monitoring of AI development to ensure it does not absolve humans of responsibility.

HOW:

Yahoo - The Italian government, in collaboration with Catholic organizations, has facilitated the arrival of hundreds of Palestinians to study and receive medical care in Italy since the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza began in 2023.

(UPDATED May 14, 2026 19:35 UTC)

Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful speech at La Sapienza University in Rome, where he denounced investments in AI and high-tech weaponry, warning that they lead to a “spiral of annihilation.” During his visit, he met with young Palestinians, including Nada Rahim Jouda, and called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, highlighting the dramatic increase in military spending this year at the expense of education and healthcare. The pope also announced plans to explore themes related to AI in his first encyclical, which is set to be released in the coming weeks.