Maximum attention to children and their rights. Pope Francis continues the catechesis on the theme “Those most loved by the Father, meditation on children in the context of the Christmas season” and urges us not to look the other way when we see minors being exploited. «Even today in the world», he denounces, «hundreds of millions of minors, despite not having the minimum age to fulfill the obligations of adulthood, are forced to work and many of them are exposed to particularly dangerous jobs. Not to mention the boys and girls who are slaves of trafficking for prostitution or pornography, and forced marriages. This is a little bitter.” All this is «a despicable act, it is an atrocious act. It is not simply a plague on society and a crime; it is a very serious violation of God’s commandments. No minor should be abused. Even one case is already too many. It is therefore necessary to awaken our consciences, awaken consciences, practice closeness and at the same time build trust and synergies between those who are committed to offering them opportunities and safe places in which to grow peacefully.”
He recalls that in a Latin American country the harvesting of a particular fruit which requires “tender hands” is entrusted to children by exploiting them and then mentions Loan, a missing Argentine boy who was probably a victim of organ trafficking. “This is done, you know it well, some come back with scars, others die.” Francis recalls that «widespread poverty, the lack of social tools to support families, the increased marginality in recent years together with unemployment and job insecurity are factors that place the greatest price to pay on the youngest. In the metropolises, where the social divide and moral degradation “bite”, there are children employed in drug dealing and in the most disparate illicit activities. How many of these kids have we seen fall as sacrificial victims! Sometimes tragically they are induced to become “executioners” of other peers, as well as to damage themselves, their dignity and humanity. And yet, when in the street, in the parish neighborhood, these lost lives offer themselves to our gaze, we often look the other way.”
The Pope underlines that «it costs us to recognize the social injustice that pushes two children, perhaps inhabitants of the same neighborhood or condominium, to take diametrically opposite paths and destinies, because one of the two was born into a disadvantaged family. An unacceptable human and social fracture: between those who can dream and those who must succumb. But Jesus wants us all free and happy; and if he loves every man and every woman as his son and daughter, he loves the little ones with all the tenderness of his heart. Therefore he asks us to stop and listen to the suffering of those who have no voice, those who have no education. Fighting exploitation, especially child exploitation, this is the main path to building a better future for the whole of society.” It asks journalists to denounce forms of exploitation and everyone to look on the web to see what children’s rights are and apply them. Maybe by not eating food produced with the labor of minors or not buying clothes from factories that exploit children. “We should recognize that, if we want to eradicate child labor, we cannot be complicit in it,” says the Pontiff. «How can I eat and dress knowing that behind that food or those clothes there are exploited children, who work instead of going to school? Being aware of what we buy is a first step to avoid being complicit. You see where those products come from. Some will say that, as individuals, we can’t do much. It’s true, as individuals we can’t do much, but each one can be a drop which, together with many other drops, can become a sea. However, institutions, including ecclesiastical ones, and companies must also be reminded of their responsibility: they can make a difference by shifting their investments towards companies that do not use or allow child labour.” And, finally, he concludes with the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta who thus gives voice to children: «I ask for a safe place where I can play. I ask for a smile from someone who knows how to love. I ask for the right to be a child, to be the hope of a better world. I ask to be able to grow as a person. Can I count on you?”.
As in the last audience, this time too the Pope attends a circus performance and, when unscheduled two children go to greet him with their mothers, he exclaims: “They are the masters”. Even in a festive atmosphere the Pontiff does not fail to pray for peace and for “the conversion of the hearts of the arms manufacturers who help to kill with their products”.
