Vatican diplomat rues moral imbalance of aid cuts, rising military expenses (Holy See Mission)

Archbishop Ettore Balestrero criticized the decline in international development aid while military spending increases. Speaking at a United Nations Trade and Development Board meeting, the Vatican diplomat noted that official development assistance fell by more than 25% to $23.5 billion in 2025.

Balestrero, who serves as the apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, said this trend shows a moral imbalance in political priorities. He pointed out that least developed countries have accounted for nearly 70% of all global food emergencies over the last 15 years. He stated that conflicts are being funded more easily than people are being fed.