---
title: Holy See Urges Global Action Against Cluster Munitions
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/holy-see-urges-global-action-against-cluster-munitions
published: 2026-09-17T15:23:11+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.vaticannews.va/es/vaticano/news/2026-09/la-santa-sede-el-desarme-municiones-de-racimo-onu.html
organizations: Holy See
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Holy See Urges Global Action Against Cluster Munitions

The Holy See has called on international efforts to prioritize the protection of civilians, assistance for victims, and the prevention of further suffering in the fight against cluster munitions.

Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, head of the Holy See delegation, made this appeal during the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Vientiane, Laos. He expressed solidarity with victims and their families while acknowledging the lives saved by the treaty's prohibition of these weapons and its provisions for victim assistance.

Balestrero warned that the universalization of the Convention is progressing slowly and noted that one state party has withdrawn from the agreement. He urged countries that are not yet members to join and fully implement the treaty.

The Holy See deplores the continued production, storage, transfer, and use of cluster munitions in armed conflicts. The delegation emphasized that these weapons cause devastating and lasting consequences for people and territories, as unexploded devices continue to threaten entire communities and tear the fabric of life.

Regarding the morality of disarmament, Balestrero stated that humanitarian treaties are moral commitments to current and future generations. He asserted that respecting and promoting disarmament agreements is not a sign of weakness, but rather an assumption of responsibility to safeguard human life, build peace, and defend the vulnerable.

The Holy See also highlighted the link between disarmament and development. Balestrero noted that global military spending exceeded 2.89 trillion dollars in the last year. The Holy See views this high expenditure as a grave imbalance compared to the limited resources used to meet basic population needs and promote integral human development.

## This story in other languages

- [Português (Brasil)](https://www.faithfulnews.com/pt-br/santa-sede-afirma-que-desarmamento-de-municoes-em-cacho-nao-e-sinal-de-fraqueza)
- [Français](https://www.faithfulnews.com/fr/la-santa-sede-appelle-au-desarmement-des-munitions-a-fragmentation)
- [Italiano](https://www.faithfulnews.com/it/la-santa-sede-chiede-limpegno-globale-contro-le-munizioni-a-grappolo)
- [Nederlands](https://www.faithfulnews.com/nl/heilige-stoel-stelt-dat-ontwapening-van-clustermunitie-geen-teken-van-zwakte-is)
- [Norsk](https://www.faithfulnews.com/no/santa-sede-oppfordrer-til-nedrustning-av-klaseammunisjon)