Pope Leo delivered a direct message Friday to human trafficking networks operating migration routes into Europe, warning those who exploit vulnerable people that they will ultimately face judgment for their actions.

Speaking on the final day of a week-long visit to Spain, the pontiff continued calls for world leaders to approach migration issues with greater humanity while also drawing a clear distinction between migrants and those who profit from moving them illegally.

Addressing traffickers and criminal organizations linked to routes into Europe through Spain’s Canary Islands, Leo condemned those who, in his words, “take advantage of peoples’ desperation” and organize what he described as deadly migration pathways.

“Stop. Repent,” the pope said.

He added that those responsible for lives lost and families deceived would ultimately have to answer before divine justice.

The remarks reflected a dual message that has appeared throughout the visit: compassion toward migrants while condemning criminal networks that benefit from instability, desperation, and dangerous journeys.

Migration debates often focus on borders and policy, but statements like this place attention on another part of the issue—the people turning human suffering into a business model, which tends to attract far less sympathy once the spotlight arrives.

As the visit concluded, the pope’s message remained centered on accountability, human dignity, and the idea that exploiting vulnerable people carries consequences beyond politics alone.