Pope Leo’s address to OSCE Conference on Combating Organized Crime
Clementine Hall – Friday, 15 May 2026
Pope Leo’s address,
Distinguished Parliamentarians,
Representatives of the participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Mr. Ambassador,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I greet you with profound hope and pastoral concern as you gather for the Second International Conference on the Fight Against Drugs and Organized Crime in the OSCE Region.
This conference is dedicated to the urgent struggle against the scourge of illicit drugs.
Your presence here, representing many of the OSCE participating States stretching from Vancouver to Vladivostok, is a testament to our collective determination to confront this issue, which fuels criminal networks and endangers the future of our societies.
The Holy See firmly believes that the rule of law, crime prevention and criminal justice must develop in tandem.
Indeed, authentic implementation of the rule of law is indispensable for integral human development. No just society can endure unless the law, and not the arbitrary will of individuals, remains sovereign (cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 408).
Furthermore, no person or group, regardless of their power or status, can ever claim the right to violate the dignity or rights of others or their communities.
Therefore, preventing and responding to criminal activities is closely linked to respect for and protection of universal human rights.
This requires the efforts not only of law enforcement authorities, but also of society at large, at both national and international levels.
In this regard, the Holy See wholeheartedly supports every initiative that seeks to establish an effective, just, humane and credible criminal justice system that is capable of preventing and countering the production and trafficking of illicit drugs. Recognizing that true justice cannot be served by punishment alone, such efforts must also embrace approaches characterized by perseverance and mercy, with the aim of re-educating offenders and fully reintegrating them into society. Respect for the inherent dignity of every person, including those who have committed crimes, precludes the use of the death penalty, torture and all forms of cruel or degrading punishment.
Comprehensive programs are needed to help those enslaved by addiction.
These programs should offer medical treatment, psychological support and sustained rehabilitation. This multidisciplinary approach must consider the individual as a whole, moving beyond purely repressive measures and permissive solutions, as these fail to free people from dependence.
In this way, they can rediscover and experience anew the fullness of their God-given dignity.
Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that education is crucial for prevention.
It forms the foundation of integral human development and enables children and young people to recognize the devastating effects of drugs.
At a time when social media so often disseminates dangerous misinformation that trivializes these risks, education must begin within the family and continue in school.
This education should impart accurate scientific knowledge of the ruinous effects of narcotics on the brain, body, personal conduct, and the common good of the community.
Building safe, just and stable societies requires us to prevent and counter organized crime.
From this perspective, I would like to acknowledge all law enforcement officers and members of the judiciary who have lost their lives or been injured while courageously performing their duties.
We should feel gratitude, responsibility and renewed determination when we think of them.
Through its many institutions around the world, the Catholic Church draws upon its long experience of supporting those affected by addiction.
It stands ready to strengthen its fruitful cooperation with civil society even further.
In a spirit of mutual respect and shared responsibility, we can work together to promote policies that truly serve the common good and the inalienable dignity of every human being.
May this conference yield abundant and lasting results in the form of transnational cooperation strategies, effective prevention measures and genuine hope.
I invoke God’s abundant blessings of wisdom, courage and enduring peace upon all of you, upon your deliberations, and upon the peoples you represent. Thank you.
