(ZENIT News / New York, 11.08.2024).- Monsignor Gabriele Caccia, the Vatican’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, renewed calls on the global community to safeguard space as a domain of peace, cautioning against its increasing militarization. Addressing the First and Fourth Committees of the UN General Assembly on October 30, he underscored the urgent need for space to remain a “common good of all humanity,” dedicated solely to peaceful pursuits. His words echoed the message delivered by Pope Paul VI in 1968 at the UN’s inaugural conference on space exploration, a message that remains as relevant as ever as the specter of armed conflict extends beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Reflecting on Pope Paul VI’s appeal, Caccia noted, «Nearly sixty years later, as the world continues to grapple with armed conflicts and military ambitions, these words still stand as a poignant warning to all nations.» Emphasizing the collective responsibility enshrined in space treaties, he urged states to focus advancements in satellite technology and outer-space capabilities strictly on civilian use.
Highlighting the dangers posed by anti-satellite (ASAT) weaponry, Caccia pointed to their origins during the Cold War when both the United States and the Soviet Union conducted tests intended to disable satellites in Earth’s orbit. While the U.S. enacted a moratorium on ASAT testing in 2022, recent tests by China and Russia underscore the pressing need for international measures to curb weaponization in space.
The Holy See’s representative stressed the concerning lack of consensus within the international community regarding a universal ban on space-based weaponry. He argued that the UN’s Conference on Disarmament, set to take place in Italy this year, could serve as a pivotal forum to address these mounting threats. Monsignor Caccia highlighted that the principles guiding nuclear non-proliferation must also be extended to prevent an arms race in space—a development that could endanger the global peace and security framework.
Closing his statement, Caccia called on all UN member states to respect the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which mandates that “the Moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.” The Vatican’s message aligns with a growing international movement urging cooperative use of space for the benefit of all, even as geopolitical tensions bring militarization closer to the final frontier.
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