United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration joins the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a courageous global voice who stood with law enforcement in the fight against drug trafficking and addiction. His commitment to protecting the most vulnerable—from the barrios of Buenos Aires to the streets of Rome—will never be forgotten.

In June 2014, during the 31st International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) in Rome, more than 100 senior drug law enforcement officials from around the world were received at the Vatican by His Holiness. What followed was a powerful and personal encounter between the Pope and the global drug enforcement community—one that affirmed his unwavering opposition to drug legalization and his solidarity with those on the front lines of this global crisis.

In a private meeting with then-DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart, Pope Francis was presented with honorary DEA credentials and a badge in recognition of his moral leadership and commitment to protecting life.

The inscription on the plaque quoted his own words:

"The scourge of drug trafficking that favors violence and sows the seeds of suffering and death requires of society as a whole an act of courage... A reduction in the spread and influence of drug addiction will not be achieved by a liberalization of drug use."

Pope Francis spoke not as a distant figure, but as a man who had walked among the addicted, the trafficked, and the forgotten. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he had seen firsthand the devastation wrought by cartels and narco-violence. As Pope, he remained a steadfast advocate for justice and prevention, reminding the world that compassion must never be confused with compromise.

"Drug addiction is an evil," he told the IDEC delegates. "And with evil, there can be no yielding or compromise."

His message was clear: legalization is not the answer. Prevention, education, opportunity, and justice are. His remarks were not only reported around the world—they became a moral rallying cry for nations struggling to hold the line against the cartels and criminal networks profiting from human misery.

True to his word, Pope Francis followed his visit with an extraordinary act of spiritual defiance: he publicly excommunicated members of the 'Ndrangheta, one of Italy's most violent drug-trafficking criminal organizations, sending a resounding message that there can be no place for such evil within any community of faith.

As DEA honors his legacy, we remember not only a Pope, but a partner in the global fight against drug trafficking—one whose words gave strength to law enforcement officers and whose actions gave voice to the voiceless.

Rest in peace, Pope Francis. Your light will continue to guide those who walk into the darkest places, armed only with the truth.