The Holy See has urged the international community to adopt a approach to fighting transnational organized crime that goes beyond punishment to prioritize prevention, victim protection, and the preservation of human dignity. Speaking at the 13th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Holy See delegation stressed that while accountability is essential, lasting justice requires safeguarding vulnerable populations, fostering education, and enhancing international cooperation.
In its address, the delegation outlined five core priorities, beginning with the need to prevent criminal networks from exploiting and recruiting young people, particularly in drug trafficking operations. Citing Pope Leo XIV’s assertion that “education is key to prevention,” the Holy See emphasized that parents—supported by schools, faith-based groups, and civil society—play a crucial role in helping youth resist criminal influences and build a sense of moral responsibility and freedom.
The statement also highlighted the growing dangers of human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and modern forms of exploitation such as “cyber slavery,” where victims lured into online schemes are forced into financial fraud and then unjustly criminalized. The Holy See called on world leaders to properly identify, protect, and support these victims, drawing a clear distinction between exploited individuals and the criminal syndicates profiting from their coercion.
Finally, the delegation addressed the broader impacts of organized crime on children, cultural heritage, and the environment. Calling for shared responsibility across governments, families, and technology providers to combat online child sexual exploitation, the Holy See also warned against the illegal trafficking of cultural property and natural resources. True justice, the delegation concluded, must hold offenders accountable while helping victims recover, protecting communities at risk, and safeguarding the shared bonds that sustain human dignity.