Pope Leo XIV’s Early Efforts in Combating Human Trafficking in Peru

Chiclayo: Before ascending to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost, then serving as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, took significant steps to aid women victimized by human trafficking. He established a commission aimed at helping women escape the grim realities of forced prostitution, as recounted by trafficking survivor Silvia Teodolinda Vasquez.

According to Ansa News Agency, Vasquez shared her experiences with the Argentine daily La Nacion, revealing that her path crossed with who would become Pope Leo XIV in 2017. It was during this time that Prevost launched a diocesan commission dedicated to addressing issues of human migration and human trafficking. Concerned about the correlation between the influx of Venezuelan migrants and the rise in sex work within Peru, Prevost sought the collaboration of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This religious congregation, known for its longstanding commitment to combating human trafficking, was invited to join the commission.

The Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament had a history of empowering women to break free from exploitation, a commitment recognized when they received a U.S. State Department award in 2005 for their impactful work. Under the leadership of then-Bishop Prevost, the commission also established a shelter on the outskirts of Chiclayo, developed in partnership with the Vincentians and Caritas, providing refuge to over 5,000 individuals.

The future Pope Leo XIV was deeply involved in the commission’s initiatives, not only supporting its efforts but also organizing retreats aimed at offering solace and rehabilitation to trafficking victims and sex workers. His dedication to this cause marked a significant chapter in his early ecclesiastical career.