One in Christ / Daniel Conway
Color the world with care and respect for children
(En Espanol)
On Feb. 3, 2025, Pope Francis convened an International Summit on Children’s Rights, a gathering of Church and civic leaders concerned about the protection of children internationally.
In his opening address, Pope Francis said:
Even today, too often the lives of millions of children are marked by poverty, war, lack of schooling, injustice and exploitation. Children and adolescents in poorer countries, or those torn apart by tragic conflicts, are forced to endure terrible trials. Nor is the more resource-rich world immune from injustice. Where, thank God, people do not suffer from war or hunger, there are problematic peripheries, where little ones are not infrequently vulnerable and suffer from problems that we cannot underestimate.
In fact, to a much greater extent than in the past, schools and health services have to deal with children already tested by many difficulties, with anxious or depressed youngsters, and adolescents drawn to forms of aggression or self-harm. Moreover, a culture of efficiency looks upon childhood itself, like old age, as a “periphery” of existence.
In his address, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of listening to both the spoken and unspoken words of children, “for we need to realize that young children understand, remember and speak to us. And with their looks and their silences, too, they speak to us. So let us listen to them!”
A year later, on Feb. 5, Pope Leo XVI shared his predecessor’s concern for caring for the vulnerable children of the world.
In his address to the organizing committee of the initiative “From Crisis to Care: Catholic Action for Children,” Pope Leo said:
It is indeed a tragedy that the children and youth of our world, the ones Jesus wanted to come to him, are so often deprived of care and access to the basic necessities of life. Likewise, they frequently have few opportunities for achieving their God-given potential. Regrettably, I see that the situation of children today has not improved during the past year, and it is also of deep concern to learn of the lack of progress in protecting children from danger.
One must question whether global commitments for sustainable development have been cast aside when we see in our global human family that so many children still live in extreme poverty, suffer abuse and are forcibly displaced, not to mention that they lack proper education and are isolated or separated from their families.
The Holy Father advocated for a profound vision of life as a gift to be cherished, and of the family as its responsible guardian, considering it deplorable that public resources are allocated to suppress life rather than being invested to support mothers and families.
Pope Leo welcomed the attendees’ commitment to developing effective ways to address the concerns raised at the Summit on Children’s Rights.
He asked that they keep in mind two important points:
First, you are speaking on behalf of those who have no voice. This is a truly noble task. Keep that in mind when the temptation to be discouraged arises because of failed initiatives, seeming lack of interest from others or the sense that the situation is not improving. Let the good you know you are doing carry you forward.
The second point concerns the need to focus on the transversal needs of children, which can easily go unnoticed when care is focused on just one area of need. In this sense, I realize that the particular way in which each of you is addressing the needs of children is in conformity with your specific charisms and specializations within your local Church structures, religious congregations and Catholic-inspired organizations.
The Holy Father went on to ask that the diverse organizations and groups represented on the organizing committee “find ways to work together in greater harmony so that children receive care that is well balanced, taking into consideration their physical, psychological and spiritual welfare.”
Pope Leo concluded his address with a quote from the letter presented to Pope Francis by the children who attended the previous year’s Summit on Children’s Rights: “Together with you, we want to cleanse the world of bad things, color it with friendship and respect, and help you build a beautiful future for everyone!”
Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, the Holy Father asked for God’s blessing on all who work to safeguard the rights of children in today’s world.
(Daniel Conway is a member of The Criterion’s editorial committee.) †