The Pope stated that geopolitical instability and armed conflicts create fertile ground for human traffickers.

This is stated in his message on the occasion of the XII World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking, observed on February 8, Vatican News reports.

According to Leo XIV, geopolitical instability and armed conflicts create favorable conditions for human traffickers, who profit from the most vulnerable, namely displaced persons, migrants, and refugees. Within this “failed paradigm,” women and children become the primary victims. The growing gap between the rich and the poor increasingly forces people to live in conditions of extreme instability, making them easy prey for recruiters.

The Pope points to the alarming phenomenon of so called digital slavery, in which people are drawn into fraudulent schemes and criminal activity, including online scams and drug trafficking. In such cases, victims are forced to assume the role of perpetrators, which deepens their spiritual wounds. Such forms of violence, the Pontiff emphasizes, are manifestations of a culture that has lost the ability to love in the example of Christ.

In the face of these challenges, the Pope calls for prayer and reflection that help counter indifference to injustice and recognize hidden mechanisms of exploitation, both in everyday life and in the digital space.

At the end of the message, Leo XIV expresses gratitude to all who assist victims of human trafficking, including international networks and organizations, and also pays tribute to survivors who have become advocates for others.