Pope Leo XIV urges collective action against addiction, calls for dismantling drug trade, restoring dignity on Int’l Day Against Drugs.
Newsroom, June 26, 2024, Gaudium Press – On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful address in the San Damaso Courtyard to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, emphasizing the restoration of human dignity and the urgent need for collective action to combat addiction and its root causes. Speaking to a diverse audience, including representatives from the San Patrignano Community and Undersecretary of State Alfredo Mantovano, the pontiff framed the fight against drugs as a moral and societal imperative, rooted in the Jubilee’s theme of grace and reconciliation.
Opening with the Sign of the Cross, Pope Leo XIV greeted attendees with a message of peace, invoking the Easter encounter between Jesus and his disciples to underscore the transformative power of forgiveness and hope. “Peace be with you!” he declared, drawing parallels between the disciples’ despair and the struggles of those battling addiction. He described addiction as an “invisible prison” that strips individuals of dignity, yet praised the resilience of those who have fought to reclaim their freedom.
The Pope reflected on the universal human search for peace and joy, cautioning against the deceptions that lead to addiction. Quoting Psalm 63:7, he described the human heart as an “abyss” that finds true rest only in faith, echoing St. Augustine’s timeless confession. He urged solidarity in overcoming evil, stating, “Evil is overcome together. Joy is found together. Injustice is fought together.” This call to unity underscored his broader message: that societal renewal depends on collective efforts to address not just addiction but also the systemic issues fueling it.
In a pointed critique, Pope Leo XIV condemned the global drug trade and its exploitation of vulnerable populations. He accused powerful criminal organizations of profiting from addiction while evading accountability, leaving the poor and marginalized to bear the brunt of punitive measures. “Too often, in the name of security, war has been and is being waged against the poor,” he said, advocating for cities that foster integration and reject marginalization. Quoting Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, he called for urban spaces that “connect, relate, and foster recognition of others.”
The pontiff tied his message to the Jubilee’s vision of a “culture of encounter,” urging the redistribution of unjustly accumulated wealth and the dismantling of systems that perpetuate inequality. He acknowledged the risks faced by those who fight drug trafficking and defend the marginalized, noting that such efforts can lead to martyrdom in regions where social justice is deemed subversive.
Addressing young people directly, Pope Leo XIV cast them as protagonists in a global renewal, drawing on Psalm 117:22 to liken them to the “cornerstone” rejected yet chosen by God. “Your mistakes, your suffering, but above all the desire for life that you bring, make you witnesses that change is possible,” he said, emphasizing their vital role in education, politics, and societal transformation. He called for expanded pastoral and social initiatives to create “places of healing” that never abandon those in need.
The Pope concluded by entrusting his audience to the guidance of the Virgin Mary and offering a heartfelt blessing. His address was met with applause, reflecting its resonance with attendees who included survivors of addiction, advocates, and policymakers.
The event, held under the warm June sun, was a poignant reminder of the Church’s commitment to those on society’s margins. As Pope Leo XIV’s words echoed through the courtyard, they reinforced a universal call to action: to restore dignity, combat injustice, and build a world where no one is given up for lost.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican.va
Related Images:
