In a passionate reaffirmation of its long-standing mission, the Holy See has called on the global community to act decisively against all forms of child labor. Speaking at the United Nations during the interactive dialogue titled “On Childhood With Dignity,” Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See, underscored the urgency of eliminating exploitative child labor practices, particularly those involving armed conflict and forced recruitment.

Referencing Pope Leo XIII’s landmark 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, Archbishop Caccia emphasized the moral imperative of safeguarding every child's right to education, protection, and meaningful growth. He echoed the Pope’s powerful metaphor: “Just as very rough weather destroys the buds of spring, so does too early an experience of life’s hard toil blight the young promise of a child’s faculties, and render any true education impossible.”

With an estimated one in ten children worldwide still subjected to harsh and exploitative conditions, Archbishop Caccia emphasized that now is the time for bold international action. He described child labor as a fundamental violation of a child’s inherent dignity and a failure of the international community’s moral and legal duties.

Of particular concern to the Holy See is the ongoing use of children in armed conflicts, a grave injustice that Archbishop Caccia condemned as a “direct affront” to their human rights. He also raised alarm over other forms of exploitation, including forced marriages and sexual abuse, especially among children with disabilities who face heightened vulnerabilities.

In a clear and urgent plea, the Holy See called for the immediate and unconditional release of all children forced into exploitative roles. These children, Archbishop Caccia affirmed, must be treated not as perpetrators but as victims—deserving of compassion, protection, and pathways to healing.

Reinforcing the Holy See’s alignment with global child protection efforts, Archbishop Caccia stressed the importance of creating conditions that allow every child to flourish. “Only with sustained access to healthcare, quality education, and real opportunities,” he said, “can each child realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.”

With this renewed declaration, the Holy See has once again positioned itself as a moral compass in the global fight to defend the sanctity of childhood and ensure that no child is left behind in the shadows of exploitation.