Pope Francis: We Have a ‘Moral Duty’ to Stop ‘Murderer’ Drug Traffickers

Pope Francis labeled drug traffickers as “murderers” during his general audience on June 26, marking the World Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Departing from his regular catechesis, Pope Francis said that “drug abuse impoverishes every community it touches” and diminishes human dignity.

He expressed concern over the increasing liberalization of drug laws in various countries, calling them a “fantasy.” According to Pope Francis, “a reduction in drug addiction is not achieved by liberalizing their consumption.” Instead, he urged for more stringent measures to combat the production and trafficking of dangerous substances.

Pope Francis said he is “convinced that it is a moral duty to put an end to the production and trafficking of these dangerous substances.” He described drug traffickers as “traffickers of death driven by the logic of power and money at any cost!”

Francis praised the efforts of those working in recovery and prevention, especially those inspired by the Gospel. He said society needs to act courageously to combat the “scourge” of drug trafficking, which “produces violence and sows suffering and death.”

Pray for an end to drug trafficking!

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