More must be done to restore the dignity of victims of organised crime

Vatican City, September 19, 2024 / 7:15 p.m. (ACI Africa).

Pope Francis on Thursday called on participants in the conference on the social use of assets seized from the mafia to work to recover the well-being – not just the assets – of victims and communities harmed by organized crime.

“I invite you to focus the conversations of these days on the urgency of restoring the good of all people, men and women, the good of every person, where everyone counts and no one is thrown away,” the Pope said in his message, originally written in Spanish on the occasion of the conference held on September 19 and 20 at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences in the Vatican.

The Holy Father stressed that it is neither “possible nor permissible” to forget the damage done to the dignity of millions of men and women who suffer “hunger and fear of violence, oppression or injustice” because of transnational criminal activities.

“Only by understanding this damage can we discern how to help, protect and restore those aspects that are essential for resolving conflicts and building peace,” the Pope said.

The conference, organised by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and the Italian anti-mafia organisation Libera, aims to highlight the need for international cooperation and an integrated approach to limit the activities and impact of criminal networks and structures.