Pope John Paul II called for an end to the arms trade and for its profits to be used instead to aid developing countries at his weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square on Wednesday.
"Even the prophet called for an end to the arms trade and to transform the instruments of death into a means for the development of the people", said the pope, citing Psalm 45.
He pointed out that this "invitation is still particularly relevant today."
Nearly 10,000 people attended this week's general audience.