← All storiesTechnologyDeveloping story

Pope Leo XIV denounces AI warfare and European rearmament in first papal visit to La Sapienza since 2008

This article was published on May 18, 2026 TL;DRPope Leo XIV denounced AI-directed warfare as a “spiral of annihilation” during a historic visit to Rome’s La Sapienza University on 14 May 2026. He criticised European defence spending increases at the expense of education and healthcare, and called for tighter monitoring of AI in military and civilian use. Pope Leo XIV denounced AI-directed warfare as a “spiral of annihilation” during a historic visit to Rome’s La Sapienza University on 14 May 2026. He criticised European defence spending increases at the expense of education and healthcare, and called for tighter monitoring of AI in military and civilian use. Pope Leo XIV used a historic visit to Europe’s largest university to denounce the growing role of artificial intelligence in warfare, warning that investments in AI-directed weaponry are driving the world toward what he called a “spiral of annihilation.” Speaking at Rome’s La Sapienza University on Wednesday, the pontiff called for tighter monitoring of how AI is developed and deployed in both military and civilian settings, and criticised European governments for increasing defence budgets at the expense of education and heal

5
updates in timeline
5
distinct sources
9 days
story span
May 27, 2026
latest update

May 18, 2026 → May 27, 2026

LATEST DEVELOPMENT
May 27, 2026·CNETT2 · Outlet report
'Disarm AI': Pope Leo Calls Out Big Tech's All-Consuming Obsession - CNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If…

Read original at CNET →
ACTIVITY · UPDATES PER MONTH
May 26

5 updates from 5 sources over 9 days.

Showing 5 of 5 updates

Timeline (5 updates)

May 2026

5 updates
May 27, 2026·CNETT2 · Outlet reportLATEST
'Disarm AI': Pope Leo Calls Out Big Tech's All-Consuming Obsession - CNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests…

Read original at CNET →
May 25, 2026·GizmodoT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
The Pope Warns Against ‘Dehumanization’ in the AI Era Alongside an Eyebrow-Raising Guest

In the first major theological document of his papacy, Pope Leo warned humanity on the dangers of underregulated AI development—all while being flanked by one of the biggest players in AI. “In the era of artificial…

Read original at Gizmodo →
May 25, 2026·The VergeT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Pope Leo calls for being ‘profoundly human’ in the age of AI

Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your…

Read original at The Verge →
May 25, 2026·CNNT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Pope Leo warns of AI fueling warfare in first major theological document | CNN

Pope Leo XIV says control of artificial intelligence must not remain in the hands “of a few” while warning that technology is fueling world conflicts, setting out his proposals in the first major theological…

Read original at CNN →
May 18, 2026·The Next WebT2 · Outlet reportOPENING
Pope Leo XIV denounces AI warfare and European rearmament in first papal visit to La Sapienza since 2008

This article was published on May 18, 2026 TL;DRPope Leo XIV denounced AI-directed warfare as a “spiral of annihilation” during a historic visit to Rome’s La Sapienza University on 14 May 2026. He criticised European…

Read original at The Next Web →

Sources & evidence (5)

What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.

T2 · Outlet report× 5
COVERAGE BY SOURCE
The Next Web 1CNN 1The Verge 1Gizmodo 1CNET 1
STRONGEST EVIDENCE
T2 · Outlet reportCNETMay 27, 2026

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportGizmodoMay 25, 2026

In the first major theological document of his papacy, Pope Leo warned humanity on the dangers of underregulated AI development—all while being flanked by one of the biggest players in AI. “In the era of artificial intelligence, when human…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe VergeMay 25, 2026

Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportCNNMay 25, 2026

Pope Leo XIV says control of artificial intelligence must not remain in the hands “of a few” while warning that technology is fueling world conflicts, setting out his proposals in the first major theological document of his…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe Next WebMay 18, 2026

This article was published on May 18, 2026 TL;DRPope Leo XIV denounced AI-directed warfare as a “spiral of annihilation” during a historic visit to Rome’s La Sapienza University on 14 May 2026. He criticised European defence spending…

View source →

Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary

Related stories

TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

US supreme court rejects Republican-drawn midterm map in Missouri for third time – as it happened

Long-running fight over Trump-backed maps takes another turn as absentee voting is already under way in Missouri. This blog is now closed. Sign up for US Breaking News emails Xi…

13 updates3 sources9 days long
Sep 26, 2026 → Oct 5, 2026
Latest: Trump Hits Campaign Trail as GOP Support Slips · Bloomberg
TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

Trump unveils his new Super Intelligence Force

This new task force is Trump's latest response to the debate over AI safety.

3 updates3 sources1 day long
Oct 4, 2026 → Oct 5, 2026
Latest: Trump unveils 'Super Intelligence Force' to oversee AI policy · BBC
TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

Can ‘super intelligence’ and a non-binding safety pact solve AI’s image problem?

On Equity, we discussed the Trump administration's attempts to rebrand AI.

1 update1 source
Oct 4, 2026
Latest: Can ‘super intelligence’ and a non-binding safety pact solve AI’s image problem? · TechCrunch
PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

Trump Set to Name Jay Clayton as AI Czar With Safety Fear Rising

President Donald Trump is expected to name US Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as his next artificial intelligence czar, according to a person familiar with the…

4 updates3 sources2 days long
Oct 2, 2026 → Oct 4, 2026
Latest: Trump names four officials to lead his Super Intelligence Force · The Next Web
TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

Gavin Newsom signs laws to protect California workers from AI threat

Democratic governor sharply critical of Donald Trump for not passing comprehensive federal AI regulations Governor Gavin Newsom signed laws Wednesday aimed at protecting…

3 updates2 sources2 days long
Oct 1, 2026 → Oct 2, 2026
Latest: California Sues to Block Trump From Weakening Fuel Economy Rules · NYT
PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

Trump Says Powell Should Be Forced to Resign From Fed Board

President Donald Trump said former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell should resign from the central bank’s Board of Governors over findings the central bank mismanaged the…

3 updates1 source2 days long
Sep 30, 2026 → Oct 2, 2026
Latest: Trump: Won’t Do Diesel Export Ban · Bloomberg