New York, 19 October 2026

Mr. Chair,

At a time of profound instability, nuclear arsenals are being modernized and expanded, nuclear rhetoric is becoming more pronounced, and deterrence continues to occupy a central place in security doctrines. Rather than strengthening international security, these trends exacerbate instability and perpetuate a situation in which peace hinges on the threat of catastrophic destruction. The continued existence of nuclear weapons remains one of the gravest threats to humanity.

As Pope Leo XIV observes in Magnifica Humanitas, there is “the widespread yet erroneous belief that nuclear deterrence is an indispensable prerequisite for security.”[1] A security architecture that relies on the credible threat of nuclear weapons use leaves humanity in a permanent state of vulnerability. The catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons transcend borders and generations, revealing the profound contradiction of seeking security through the threat of their use.

Furthermore, integrating artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies into nuclear systems introduces additional risks, including shaping the conditions under which decisions of the gravest consequence are made. Effective, self-aware and responsible human control and judgment must therefore always be maintained.[2]

Mr. Chair,

The only lasting response to the dangers posed by nuclear weapons is their total elimination. While measures to reduce nuclear risks are necessary, they cannot substitute for disarmament.

In this spirit, the Holy See calls upon all nuclear-armed States to fulfil their obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), pursuing concrete and verifiable progress towards nuclear disarmament in good faith. At the same time, the Holy See reaffirms its strong support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which significantly contributes to the implementation of Article VI of the NPT. Based on the recognition of the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons, the TPNW provides a tangible commitment to their total elimination.

As States Parties prepare for the First Review Conference of the TPNW, the Holy See calls for renewed efforts towards its effective implementation and universalization and encourages all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify, or accede to, the Treaty.

The Holy See likewise renews its call for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and for the preservation of existing moratoria on nuclear testing.

Mr. Chair,

The deterioration of the international security environment cannot justify deeper reliance on nuclear weapons. On the contrary, it makes the pursuit of their elimination all the more urgent. As Pope Leo XIV recently recalled, “Peace is not a balance of power; rather, it is built day by day through dialogue and justice.”[3]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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[1] Pope Leo XIV, Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas, 194.

[2] Cfr. Ibid., 200.

[3] Pope Leo XIV, Address to the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps, Paris, 25 September 2026.