Pope says 'ashamed' by hike in arms spending to 2% of GDP

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 24 - Pope Francis said Thursday he felt "ashamed" when he heard a number of countries including Italy had decided to raised arms spending to 2% of GDP in line with NATO requirements amid the Ukraine war.
    "I was ashamed when I read that a group of States vowed to spend two per cent of GDP for the purchase of weapons to respond to what is happening, they're mad", Francis told an audience of the Italian Women's Centre.
    "The real response is not more arms, more sanctions, more political and military alliances, but another approach, a different way of governing the world, not baring one's teeth, a globalized way to frame international relations".
    Premier Mario Draghi's government has been criticised in some quarters for pledging the 2% arms spending hike as well as promising more weapons to Ukraine in its battle to fend off a Russian invasion. (ANSA).