Vatican City: The Holy See has called for stronger international cooperation to combat transnational organised crime, stressing the need to protect human dignity, uphold the rule of law and safeguard children and other vulnerable people.
Archbishop Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Organisation of American States (OAS), outlined three priorities for tackling criminal networks during the Fifth Meeting of National Authorities on Transnational Organised Crime in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, October 14. He highlighted the importance of placing people at the centre of security policies, strengthening cooperation between countries and investing in prevention and protection.
Archbishop Cruz Serrano said organised crime should not be viewed only as a threat to national security. It also violates human dignity and harms the common good, affecting individuals, families and entire communities.
He referred to Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas, which warns about the growing influence of non state actors, including criminal networks that use violence to maintain their power and generate profits. Such activities, he noted, have serious consequences for children and young people.
Behind crime statistics are people whose lives are affected by human trafficking and exploitation, young people recruited into drug trafficking networks, families forced to leave their homes because of violence and communities deprived of the conditions needed to live in peace.
The Archbishop stressed that efforts to fight crime must respect fundamental rights and operate within the rule of law. He also highlighted the need to ensure that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, serve justice and remain subject to appropriate human oversight and safeguards.
International cooperation was identified as the second priority. Criminal organisations often exploit national borders, differences between legal systems and technological developments to expand their activities. Archbishop Cruz Serrano called for closer cooperation between countries in judicial, police and financial matters.
He also underlined the importance of tackling illicit financial flows, which allow criminal organisations to fund their activities, expand their influence, encourage corruption and weaken public institutions.
The third priority focused on preventing crime and protecting vulnerable people, particularly children and young people in the digital environment.
Archbishop Cruz Serrano warned that criminal networks increasingly exploit digital platforms to target minors through cyberbullying, grooming, coercion and blackmail. He also highlighted the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material as a serious concern requiring appropriate protective measures.
He stressed that children and young people must be equipped to recognise manipulation and protect their dignity, in line with the teaching of Pope Leo XIV.
Concluding his address, the Holy See’s representative expressed hope that the meeting would strengthen partnerships among States and different sectors of society. He called for comprehensive and lasting responses that address organised crime while protecting human dignity.
He said efforts to combat criminal networks must go beyond improving security and enforcing the law. They should also contribute to building more just, supportive and peaceful societies.