VATICAN CITY, 15 May 2026 – Participants in the second Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the Fight Against Organized Crime in the OSCE Region were received today by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in what marked the first-ever meeting between a large delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Pope. 

President Pere Joan Pons, Secretary General Roberto Montella and Vice-President Eugenio Zoffili with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Vatican City, 15 May 2026. Photo credit: Vatican MediaThe audience took place in the Clementine Hall and brought together parliamentarians and representatives from across the OSCE region participating in the conference hosted by the Italian Parliament under the theme “#STOPDRUGS – Fighting Drug Trafficking together to Defend Security, Health and the Rule of Law.”

In his address, Pope Leo XIV stressed that combating organized crime and drug trafficking requires strong international co-operation rooted in the rule of law, the protection of human dignity and effective prevention strategies. He emphasized the importance of comprehensive approaches that combine law enforcement, criminal justice, rehabilitation and social reintegration, while also underlining the key role of education, families and schools in preventing drug abuse among young people. 

The Pope further highlighted the need for societies to address addiction through medical, psychological and social support systems and expressed appreciation for the work and sacrifices of law enforcement and judicial authorities combating organized crime. He concluded by expressing hope that the conference would bear lasting fruit in strengthening international co-operation against organized crime and drug trafficking, and wished participants wisdom, courage and peace in their deliberations. 

OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons (Spain) thanked Pope Leo XIV for receiving the delegation and for his message of support for international co-operation and human dignity in addressing organized crime and drug trafficking.

OSCE PA Delegation with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Vatican City, 15 May 2026. Photo credit: Vatican Media“This meeting represents an important moment for parliamentary diplomacy, peace and international co-operation across the OSCE region,” he said. “We fully support Pope Leo XIV’s call to ‘disarm language’ and promote dialogue and mutual understanding. It was particularly meaningful that Ukrainian parliamentarians were present among the delegation gathered today at the Vatican. Security, justice, prevention, peace and the protection of human dignity must always go hand in hand.”

Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Special Representative on Combating Organized Crime Eugenio Zoffili (Italy) highlighted the significance of the audience in the broader context of the conference and the Assembly’s work against transnational criminal networks.

“The Holy Father’s words reinforce the importance of our common efforts to combat drug trafficking, protect young people and strengthen prevention and education,” he said. “We are honoured to have presented His Holiness with a copy of the Helsinki Final Act, the founding document of the OSCE process and a symbol of dialogue, co-operation and peace.”

During the audience, President Pons and Vice-President Zoffili presented Pope Leo XIV with a copy of the Helsinki Final Act on behalf of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

For the full speech of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, please click here.