Pope denounces arms trade as profit from death

At a time when the global arms industry is recording record highs, Pope Francis has found clear language to condemn the international arms trade. At this week's general audience, the spiritual leader referred to the alarming figures of armament investments and criticized that weapons factories currently represent the most profitable investments. "It is terrible to profit from death," declared Francis, leaving no doubt about his position. The Pope underscored his statement with an urgent call for peace, addressing several hotspots of current conflicts, including particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine. But also the persistent conflict between Israel and Palestinians and the plight of the Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar due to military actions concerned the Pontiff. His critical remarks come at a time when the recognized peace research institute SIPRI has documented remarkable increases in military sector spending. According to recent studies, last year saw worldwide military expenditures amounting to 2.44 trillion US dollars, which is roughly equivalent to 2.28 trillion euros. This figure not only represents a new peak but also marks a significant increase of 6.8 percent over the previous year. A major factor in this upturn is seen in Russia's aggressive foreign policy and the escalation in Ukraine. Among European nations, Germany ranks second highest in military spending after the United Kingdom, while the United States remains at the top globally.