Pope Francis Denounces Child Labour as a Global Scourge

Vatican, January 8, 2025: Pope Francis dedicated his General Audience reflection on Wednesday to the urgent issue of child labour, calling it a “scourge” that continues to harm children worldwide. Speaking from the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, the Holy Father emphasized the need for Christians to act against this injustice, highlighting how children are exploited and deprived of their childhoods, dreams, and protection. In his message, he lamented that, while humanity advances with things such as artificial intelligence and space exploration, it still fails to address the burning issue of the exploitation of children.

During his address, the Holy Father said that the Christmas season is a fitting time to reflect on the plight of children, and explained that he was dedicating two weekly catechesis in particular to the “scourge” of child labour. He underscored that children, as gifts from God, deserve love and protection. However, many of them often end up as victims of hunger, violence, and forced labour.

Pope Francis began his address by reflecting on the Scriptures, noting that the word "son" appears nearly 5,000 times in the Old Testament. He emphasized that "children are a gift from God," quoting the Psalms, but lamented that "unfortunately, this gift is not always respected." He pointed out that the Old Testament records not only "songs of joy" but also "the cries of victims," highlighting the suffering of children. He urged reflection on the countless children today who are dying from thirst or hunger or being torn apart by bombs.

Turning to the New Testament, Pope Francis recalled the tragic event of the slaughter of the innocents by King Herod at the birth of Jesus. He described it as a "dismal tragedy" that continues to manifest in various forms throughout history. “Due to this tragic event, Jesus, His mother Mary and Saint Joseph, were forced to flee as refugees in a foreign land—an experience still faced by many today,” he said.

The Holy Father also reminded the audience that during Jesus’ public ministry, when children were brought to him, He broke with the prevailing tradition that saw children merely as objects. He instructed His disciples to allow the children to come to Him. Furthermore, the Pope emphasized that Jesus presented children as a model for adults to follow.

The Pontiff criticized the global economic system that prioritizes profit over human dignity, leading to the marginalization of children. He called on Christians to reject indifference and take active steps to safeguard the well-being and rights of all children.

Pope Francis concluded his catechesis with a prayer, asking God to “open our minds and hearts to care and tenderness.” He expressed hope that “every boy and girl may grow in age, wisdom, and grace, both receiving and sharing love.”

Courtesy: Vatican News