The Pope: Human trafficking, the terrible plague, the daughter of wars and social disparities

Francesca Sabatinelli – Vatican City

Wars, climate change and socio-economic disparities are the cause of human trafficking, which is “one of the most terrible epidemics of our time”, as described by Francis, who in a message to the participants of the Second General Assembly of Talitha Com, which concluded yesterday in Sacrofano, a few kilometers away. From Rome, to the need to combat this “systemic” evil through a “systematic approach at multiple levels.”

Inequality and vulnerability

The Pope praised the work of the International Network of Consecrated Life against Human Trafficking, which has been working for 15 years alongside victims, survivors and people at risk, pointing to conflicts, great inequalities and even climate change as the origin. Of this terrible phenomenon that “exploits the vulnerability of people forced to migrate and the state of inequality in which women and girls in particular find themselves.”

Human trafficking is constantly evolving

Francis urged Talitha Koum to continue the path alongside victims, to listen to them, to help them respond and, at the same time, to act against human trafficking, “an activity that respects and does not look anyone in the face, and that guarantees great benefits to people who do not suffer from human trafficking.” . moral imperative.” Moreover, human trafficking “is constantly evolving and always finds new ways to develop, as it has done during the pandemic.”

A call to governments and institutions

In order to eliminate human trafficking, “it is necessary to be a community”, as indicated by the theme of the Assembly that the Pope mentions in his message: “Walking together to end human trafficking: compassion in action for change”. A mission that Talitha Koum has undertaken over the years, to become, as Bergoglio continues, “a poetic and global network” rooted “in local churches”, asserting itself as a reference point for victims, their families and the most vulnerable groups. Communities. An action that over time also became “a powerful call for the responsibility of national and local governments and institutions.” The Pope’s recommendation is to continue on the path of prevention and assistance, “which links many precious relationships that are necessary to combat and defeat human trafficking.”