Pope Francis strongly criticises drug traffickers, denouncing them as ‘assassins’ and dismissing drug liberalisation laws as a ‘fantasy’, during his catechism lesson on World Drug Day. With a background in ministering to drug-affected communities, he calls for increased prevention efforts and compassionate support for addicts, linking drug liberalisation to higher consumption rates and environmental harm.
Pope Francis has strongly criticized drug traffickers, calling them “assassins” and describing drug liberalisation laws as a “fantasy”. His remarks came during his weekly catechism lesson in St. Peter’s Square on June 26, 2024, coinciding with the United Nations’ World Drug Day. The Pope, who spent years ministering to communities afflicted by drugs in Buenos Aires, urged increased prevention efforts and compassionate care for addicts. He asserted that liberalising drug use leads to higher consumption and condemned the environmental impact of drug production, notably in the Amazon basin.
