By Isabella H. de Carvalho

The elimination of nuclear weapons needs to be a priority in order to strengthen international security and peace, Archbishop Christophe El Kassis, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, said in a statement on Monday, October 19.

“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,” he highlighted at the Thematic Discussion on Nuclear Weapons, in the First Committee of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“As Pope Leo XIV recently recalled, ‘Peace is not a balance of power; rather, it is built day by day through dialogue and justice.’”

"The continued existence of nuclear weapons remains one of the gravest threats to humanity," he added. 

In his statement, Archbishop El Kassis noted how “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.”

This, he explained, is exacerbating instability, rather than strengthening international security, and is perpetuating a situation “in which peace hinges on the threat of catastrophic destruction.”

The Permanent Observer warned that a “security architecture that relies on the credible threat of nuclear weapons use,” as is the case with deterrence, “leaves humanity in a permanent state of vulnerability” and is a “profound contradiction.”   

He also pointed out that the integration of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies into nuclear systems creates new risks. In this regard, he called for keeping “effective, self-aware and responsible human control and judgement.”

“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,” Archbishop El Kassis insisted.

In this respect, he emphasized that the Holy See calls all nuclear-armed states to fulfil their obligations to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, such as pursuing progress towards nuclear disarmament.

He also reiterated the Holy See’s support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, encouraging States who have not yet participated to do so.

Lastly, he underlined how the Holy See also appeals for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

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