Summary
On the occasion of the 12th World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, Pope Leo XIV issued a message urging the international community to address human trafficking as a “grave crime against humanity.” In his speech, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that true peace is founded on recognizing and protecting every person’s dignity. He criticized the logic that normalizes armed violence and contempt for human lives by highlighting the exploitation of women, children, migrants, and displaced persons through modern slavery and cyber slavery. Pope Leo XIV called for prayer and cultural renewal to center humanity once again, recalling Saint Josephine Bakhita as an example of Christian hope. The message stressed the importance of recognizing the dignity each person has been given by God, contrasting it with contemporary attitudes that prioritize dominance or force over human rights.
Key Topics
Pope Leo XIV, Human trafficking, dignity of persons
