Pope Francis has revealed his intention to write an Apostolic Exhortation dedicated to children, following the Vatican’s first-ever International Summit on Children’s Rights, held in the Apostolic Palace on February 3.
The summit, which gathered global advocates, heads of NGOs, and esteemed speakers, focused on addressing the dire issues facing children worldwide, such as poverty, war, lack of education, and exploitation.
In his address, Pope Francis expressed gratitude to the summit participants for making the Apostolic Palace an “observatory” on the reality of childhood today.
Reflecting on the urgency of action, he emphasised that children are watching us, waiting to see how the world will respond to their suffering. The Pope’s proposed Apostolic Exhortation aims to further this commitment, ensuring that the Church continues to advocate for children’s rights and welfare across the globe.
The Pope’s intention to write the Exhortation was underscored by his reflection on the importance of protecting children, who, as he noted, are often the most vulnerable members of society. He called on the Church to be an active force in defending children’s rights, providing them with the protection and care they deserve.
During the Summit, a range of speakers highlighted the urgency of addressing the plight of children worldwide. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, for example, stressed the importance of ensuring every child is cared for, regardless of their circumstances.
She shared heartbreaking statistics from Gaza, where 96% of children feel their death is imminent, a stark reminder of the devastating toll conflict takes on the youngest members of society.
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore also addressed the audience, warning of the ecological threats that disproportionately affect children.
He pointed out that the burden of climate change and environmental degradation is one that has been passed down to future generations, urging leaders to take immediate action to mitigate its effects.
In addition to these stark realities, other speakers called for a deeper examination of the root causes of children’s suffering. Kamel Ghiribi, President of GKSD Investment Holding Group, urged the global community to move beyond quick fixes for issues such as hunger and injustice, advocating instead for a long-term, systemic approach to addressing the underlying problems. He challenged everyone present to commit to concrete actions that would make a real difference in children’s lives, long after the summit concluded.
At the summit’s close, Pope Francis and other key speakers signed a declaration affirming eight core principles for the protection and care of children’s rights. The message was clear: the work begun at the summit must continue until every child has access to basic human rights, safety, and opportunity for a brighter future.