The Holy See warns against the manufacture of weapons in space

vatican city

New York, Friday, November 1, 2024 (REI, Vatican Radio): Archbishop Gabriele Cacchia, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, urged Member States to prioritize international cooperation in space activities ultraterrestrial. On October 30, Archbishop Cacchia, permanent observer of the Holy See at two sessions of the UN General Assembly in New York, addressed representatives of nations on space security.

be at the center of collective prosperity

Archbishop Cacchia, delivering his statement during the First and Fourth Committees of the UN General Assembly on Disarmament and Special Political Missions, respectively, recalled that in the 1968 Convention on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Pope Paul VI called to national and commercial actors to Stop space exploration. He called for keeping collective prosperity at the center of efforts. Since then, the Holy See has continued to emphasize the need for more consistent international standards governing space technology, he said.

promote peaceful use

The Archbishop said: “At a time when we are exploring the enormous potential of outer space, it is essential that all countries in the world promote its peaceful use as a common interest.”

Bishop Cacchia expressed special concern about the militarization of space by member states, particularly anti-satellite weapons (SAT). ASATs are projectiles capable of destroying satellites in Earth orbit that originated in the Cold War space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States imposed a moratorium on ASAT testing in 2022, but China and Russia recently extended demonstrations of similar weapons until May 2024.

Addressing the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, the Archbishop said: “It is regrettable that the international community has not been able to reach a consensus on an agreement to ban all types of weapons in outer space.”