ROME: In a big appeal during a high-level summit on February 3, Pope Francis urged world leaders to intensify efforts to protect children from the devastating effects of war, forced labor, trafficking, and exploitation. He emphasized the urgent need to uphold children's basic rights, even as the Catholic Church continues to confront criticism over its past mishandling of child abuse cases.

The event, held at the Apostolic Palace, was inaugurated by Queen Rania of Jordan, who detailed the growing disconnect between global promises and real-world action. Highlighting the widespread ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, she pointed out that enforcement remains inconsistent. “On paper, every child is protected,” Queen Rania said. “But in reality, millions, especially those in conflict zones, are neglected. Even worse, the world seems to be growing numb to their suffering.”

She referenced a recent study focusing on children in Gaza, where the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has left deep emotional scars. The study revealed that 96 percent of children in the region fear for their lives daily, and nearly half have expressed a desire to die. “How did we allow our compassion to fade to this extent?” Queen Rania asked.

Also addressing the summit was Italian senator and Holocaust survivor Liliana Segre, 94, who recounted her traumatic experience of being expelled from school in 1938 due to fascist racial laws targeting Jewish children. “Indifference can be more damaging than violence,” she reflected, recalling the silence and inaction of those around her. Despite her lifelong dedication to educating youth about the dangers of antisemitism and injustice, Segre continues to face threats. “I am perhaps the oldest woman in the world with a police escort, and still, I am insulted and threatened, though I have harmed no one,” she said.

Pope Francis highlightd the grim realities faced by millions of children globally, from war zones and refugee camps to victims of trafficking and forced marriages. He highlighted the plight of an estimated 150 million stateless or “invisible” children who lack legal documentation, cutting them off from education, healthcare, and protection from abuse.

The Pope also drew attention to the struggles faced by Rohingya children in Myanmar and undocumented migrant children at the US-Mexico border. “These children are the first to suffer during dangerous journeys as families flee in search of safety and a better life,” he stated.

Throughout the summit, many speakers referred to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a treaty ratified by 196 nations that guarantees children's rights to life, nationality, education, healthcare, and freedom of thought and religion. The convention also calls on nations to prioritize child welfare and protect them from harm.

The Holy See confirmed the convention in 1990 but has faced scrutiny over its own adherence to child protection principles. In 2014, the UN committee overseeing the treaty criticized the Vatican’s response to the global sexual abuse crisis, calling out cover-ups and lack of accountability. Although the committee requested a follow-up report from the Vatican by 2017, it has not been submitted.

In 2021, UN human rights experts sent a formal letter to the Vatican, expressing concern over ongoing abuse cases and the Catholic Church’s handling of victims’ rights to justice.