Pope Leo XIV questions military spending and asks to prioritize resources for health

Published at: 17/02/2026 08:24 PM

Pope Leo XIV warned against the use of large funds in armed conflicts, stressing that these resources should be used to strengthen health systems.

The pontiff argued that, in a scenario characterized by wars that absorb economic, technological and logistical capacities, it is essential to concentrate efforts on protecting life and ensuring medical care and indicated that clashes affect civil structures, including hospitals, and defined them as a direct attack on public health.

Given the international dimension of the problem, he invited the reactivation of multilateral mechanisms capable of mediating and preventing tensions, reiterating that health is a universal right whose access cannot be limited.

After the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, he highlighted that interdependence between countries is decisive for safeguarding life and highlighted the role of supranational organizations in coordinating health policies, Telesur reported.

The Pope warned that, despite official statements, inequalities persist in the protection of life and access to medical services, underlining the need to review global priorities.

Mazo News Team