A week of events has begun in preparation for the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking on February 8. This year's theme, Ambassadors of Hope: Together Against Human Trafficking, highlights global efforts to combat modern slavery.
The 11th edition of the anti-human trafficking day, established by Pope Francis in 2015, takes place alongside Jubilee 2025 on February 8, the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita. Recognized as a symbol of the Church’s "commitment to eradicating human trafficking and modern slavery", according to Vatican-linked websites, the event is coordinated by Talitha Kum, a Catholic anti-trafficking network.
The saint was a Catholic nun who lived in Italy for 45 years after having been a slave in Sudan.
According to UN estimates, 50 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, with women, children, refugees, and migrants being the most affected. One in three victims is a child, and 79 percent of those exploited sexually are women and girls.
There are an estimated 120 million people in the world who have been forced to migrate. Forced migration due to war, poverty, and environmental crises increases vulnerability, while online exploitation remains a growing concern.
Read Also'Unimaginable horrors' on migration routes to Europe, UN report
A week of mobilization and prayer
In the week culminating on February 8, thousands of people across the entire world will be meeting for prayer in Rome and to share stories against this crime.
- Feb. 2: Pope Francis addresses the issue during Sunday prayers in St. Peter’s Square.
- Feb. 3: A youth delegation begins a pilgrimage through the three Holy Gates of the Jubilee using the Walking in Dignity app.
- Feb. 4:
- 4:30 PM – Flash mob against human trafficking in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere.
- 5:30 PM – Ecumenical prayer in English and Italian at the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere.
- Feb. 5: Educational and awareness-raising activities on human trafficking.
- Feb. 6:
- Morning – Youth pilgrimage through the Holy Gates.
- 5:00–7:00 PM – Appeal for Hope and Healing at Università Pontificia di Santa Croce, featuring testimonies from trafficking survivors, activists, and performance artists.
- Feb. 7:
- Pope Francis meets young ambassadors, survivors, and representatives of the anti-trafficking network.
- A global online pilgrimage of prayer and reflection, streamed live in five languages.
- Feb. 8:
- A full-day meeting of young ambassadors for dialogue and collaboration.
- Launch of a renewed global call to action against human trafficking.
The worldwide prayer and reflection can be followed live at www.preghieracontrotratta.org/yt/it