Every child has equal claim to protection and care

Nobel laureates, academics, writers, economists, religious and political figures, and international organization leaders gathered at the Vatican on Monday, 3 February, for the International Summit on Children’s Rights. The event, titled “Love Them and Protect Them”, was promoted by the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day. The Vatican Museums hosted the opening evening of the Summit on Sunday, 2 February. Addressing participants, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, described the Summit as a moment of “reflection” and “reciprocal listening”. Highlighting the event’s theme, Cardinal Parolin said these two actions are not merely recommendations, but rather a “categorical imperative that should command universal agreement and inspire concrete and collective action”. The Summit was divided into two sessions, ...