With the theme “Peace Begins with Dignity: A Global Call to End Human Trafficking,” the Catholic Church will mark this year’s 12th World Day of Prayer and Reflection Against Human Trafficking.
In 2026, the observance coincides with the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a universal symbol of the fight against modern slavery.
Established by Pope Francis in 2015, the annual day is coordinated by the international Talitha Kum network, led by women religious and promoted by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Union of Superiors General (USG).
Numerous ecclesial and civil organizations are also involved, including Caritas Internationalis, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), the Pope John XXIII Community, the Sant’Egidio Community, the Focolare Movement, and other institutions worldwide.
According to United Nations data, some 27 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, primarily women, children, migrants, and displaced persons.
Human trafficking takes many forms — from sexual exploitation to forced labor, domestic servitude, and forced marriage — and is increasingly expanding into the digital environment.
Program of events in Rome
Between Feb. 4 and 8, Rome will host formation meetings, awareness-raising activities, and prayer events, culminating with the recitation of the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Leo XIV.
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, an online formation workshop led by young people will highlight their role in mobilization against human trafficking. In addition, some international delegates of the 12th World Day of Prayer and Reflection Against Human Trafficking will take part in the general audience presided over by the pope in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.
On Thursday, Feb. 5, the official welcome and opening of the observance will take place at the UISG headquarters, followed by the “Walk for Humanity” and a torchlight procession with an ecumenical prayer vigil at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, presided over by Cardinal Fabio Baggio, undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
On Friday, Feb. 6, a virtual pilgrimage against human trafficking will connect participants online from all continents in a global journey of prayer, including a message from the Holy Father. A live broadcast will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CET) in five languages on the website www.prayagainsttrafficking.net.
On Saturday, Feb. 7, coinciding with Youth Day, there will be a morning formation workshop led by Professor Silvia Scarpa followed by a public awareness activity in Piazza Pia, just steps from St. Peter’s Square.
Finally, on Sunday, Feb. 8, the concluding event will be held in St. Peter’s Square with the midday Angelus prayer with Pope Leo XIV. This will be followed by the celebration of Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who served as archbishop of Westminster and primate of England and Wales from 2009 to 2025, together with Father Mario Zanotti.
A global call to action
“Human trafficking remains a deep global wound that violates human dignity and disrupts the peace of our societies, especially in a world torn by conflicts, wars, and forced displacement,” said Sister Abby Avelino, coordinator of the world day and of the Talitha Kum network.
In a statement, she called for placing peace and human dignity at the heart of this year’s observance and appealed to all people of goodwill “to go beyond awareness and unite in concrete actions to put an end to this crime.”
“Our commitment is to walk closely with victims and survivors, listen to their voices, and advocate for systemic change that addresses the root causes of trafficking and builds a world based on peace, justice, and dignity for all,” she said.
Organizers also encouraged participation on social media by sharing posts on Feb. 8 using the official hashtag #PrayAgainstTrafficking.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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