New York, 4 September 2025

Mr. President,

Eighty years ago, the detonation of the first nuclear weapon introduced the world to an unprecedented destructive force. This event changed the course of history and cast a long shadow over humanity, unleashing grave consequences for both human life and creation. The devastating aftermath of this dramatic event led to the problematic assumption that peace and security could be maintained through the logic of nuclear deterrence – a notion that continues to challenge moral reasoning and the international conscience.

Since the first nuclear test on 16 July 1945, over two thousand nuclear tests have been conducted in the atmosphere, underground, beneath the oceans and on land. These actions have affected everyone, particularly indigenous peoples, women, children, and the unborn. The health and dignity of many continue to be affected in silence, and all too often without redress.

On this International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the Holy See calls for this day to be a time not only of remembrance, but also for reflection on the urgent shared responsibility to ensure that the terrible experiences of the past are not repeated.

It is particularly concerning that, in the face of this important and shared responsibility, the global response appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Rather than advancing towards disarmament and a culture of peace, we are witnessing a resurgence of aggressive nuclear rhetoric, the development of increasingly destructive weapons and a significant rise in military expenditure, often at the expense of investment in integral human development and the promotion of the common good.

It is imperative that we move beyond a spirit of fear and resignation. As Pope Leo XIV recently stated: “We must never become accustomed to war. Indeed, the temptation to place our trust in powerful and sophisticated weapons must be firmly rejected.”[1]

The pursuit of a world free of nuclear weapons is not only a matter of strategic and vital necessity, but also a profound moral responsibility. This endeavor requires a renewed commitment to multilateral dialogue and the resolute implementation of disarmament treaties, as well as concrete support for communities that continue to suffer from the long-term consequences of nuclear testing and armament.

The Holy See reiterates the importance of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), alongside the full implementation of the International Monitoring System and its verification mechanisms. Furthermore, the Holy See reaffirms its unwavering support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and calls for the continued strengthening of the global norm against nuclear explosive testing as an essential step toward genuine and lasting peace.

Thank you, Mr. President.
 
 

[1] Pope Leo XIV, General Audience, 18 June 2025.