Pope Leo XIV rejects use of death penalty in fight against organized crime, drug trafficking

Pope Leo XIV called for respect for human dignity in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking and reiterated his rejection of the death penalty, torture, and any degrading punishment in the face of a scourge that, he warned, “imperils the very future of our societies.”

In a May 15 audience with participants in the Second International Conference on the Fight against Drugs and Organized Crime in the OSCE region — dedicated to the “grave and urgent struggle against the scourge of illicit drugs” — the pope expressed his concern about criminal and drug enterprises.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) works to promote security, political cooperation, conflict prevention, and the protection of human rights in Europe, Central Asia, and North America. The May 14-15 conference was hosted by the Italian Parliament.

Leo stated firmly that the Holy See maintains that “the rule of law, crime prevention and criminal justice must advance together in unity.”

Citing the Churchʼs social doctrine, the pope emphasized that “no truly just society can endure unless the law — and not the arbitrary will of individuals — remains sovereign.”

Prevention as respect for human dignity

The Holy Father underscored that no one, regardless of power or status, “may ever claim the right to violate the dignity and rights of others or of their communities.”

Therefore, he insisted that preventing and responding to criminal activities “is closely interrelated with the respect for and protection of universal human rights.”

The pontiff appealed to the responsibility of society as a whole and reiterated that efforts must not fall solely on public authorities.

For this reason, he stressed that the Holy See supports every initiative that seeks “to establish an effective, just, humane and credible criminal justice system capable of preventing and countering the production and the trafficking of illicit drugs.”

He also emphasized that punishment cannot be the only response of the justice system, but that efforts must “embrace approaches marked by perseverance and mercy, aimed at the re-education and full reintegration of offenders into the fabric of society.”

He affirmed that respect for the dignity of every person “precludes the use of the death penalty, torture, and every form of cruel or degrading punishment.”

Education must begin in the family

Pope Leo also urged the development of comprehensive programs so that those “enslaved by addiction” may “rediscover and live anew the fullness of their God-given dignity.”

He highlighted that education “is key to prevention,” especially today in light of misinformation circulated on social media, where the risks of drugs are often trivialized. He indicated that education must begin in the family and be strengthened in schools.

The pope insisted that “preventing and countering organized crime is essential to building safe, just and stable societies.” He also recalled the members of law enforcement who have “sacrificed their lives or suffered injury in the courageous performance of their duties.”

At the conclusion of his address, Leo urged conference participants “to promote policies that truly serve the common good and the inalienable dignity of every human being.”

This story was originally published by ACI Prensa, EWTN News’ Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Source: https://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/pope-leo-rejects-use-of-death-penalty-in-fight-against-organized-crime-drug-trafficking