On September 1, 2022, Eduardo Verástegui talks at the Vitae Summit in Vatican City. Courtney Mares/Nurse Aide
Rome Newsroom, Sep 7, 2022 / 07:29 am (CNA).
Eduardo Verástegui, a Mexican actor of Catholic faith, has initiated a national campaign to oppose human trafficking.
Inspiring by his most recent video, “Sound of Freedom,” which will be available on Amazon Prime on September 8, Verástegui told CNA that combating human trafficking is “my top priority right now.”
The producer and actor is presently travelling 32 states in Mexico with his organization, Movimiento Viva Mexico, in an effort to combat child abuse by partnering with local government leaders, schools, law enforcement, and charities.
Shortly after meeting with Pope Francis, Verástegui stated in an interview in the Vatican Gardens that he intends to launch a “campaign to combat child trafficking.”
“I am convinced that if we all work together, we can eliminate this horrifying reality, for God’s children are not for sale,” he stated.
Verástegui acted as the film’s producer. The film starred Jim Caviezel, who is most known for his role as Jesus in The Passion of the Christ.
“Sound of Freedom,” a film directed by Alejandro Monteverde and filmed in Cartagena, Colombia, chronicles the rescue of 127 sexually abused children in South America. Based on the true story of former CIA agent Tim Ballard, who launched Operation Underground Railroad in order to prevent human trafficking.
Working on the film made Verástegui realize the extent of the child trafficking problem in Mexico, which according to the Scelles Foundation ranks second for underage prostitution.
Vatican summit
Verástegui spoke at a Vatican symposium about his efforts to stop human trafficking, where actors, directors, and musicians discussed how the arts and entertainment might promote optimism.
A dozen individuals, including Marcus Mumford, Patricia Heaton, David Oyelowo, J. Balvin, Alessia Cara, Jonathan Roumie, and Isaac Chung, attended the event organized by Vitae Global. Denzel Washington, winner of an Academy Award, was also registered to attend but was unable to due to a last-minute change in his production schedule.
On September 1, Pope Francis engaged in a two-hour private chat with entertainment artists in the Vatican Gardens, encouraging them to be “preachers of beauty.”
On September 1, 2022, Pope Francis engaged in a two-hour private conversation with entertainment performers in the Vatican Gardens. Vitae Global
Alexander Acha, a Grammy-winning Mexican singer-songwriter, told CNA that Pope Francis encouraged summit participants to pursue truth and reflection in their creative activities.
The pope stated that art “opens doors, moves hearts, and propels us forward.”
The encounter with Pope Francis prior to the film’s premiere was very meaningful for Verástegui, who had visited with the pope before beginning production on The Sound of Freedom to seek a papal blessing for the project.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to speak with him… here at the Vatican with so many bright individuals.”
“My religion is the most significant aspect of my life. It is the focal point of my life. Everything I do is motivated by my faith,” remarked the actor.
Pro-life efforts
Verástegui originally came to the attention of American audiences by his starring role in the pro-life film “Bella” and has remained an outspoken pro-life advocate.
He feels that the recent Supreme Court decision to repeal Roe v. Wade will “save many lives.”
“I’m ecstatic that the efforts of so many people and the prayers of so many people have had such a significant outcome,” Verástegui said.
“This is just the start. We have not yet completed the task because we must now proceed state by state, but we are making progress.”
“We must fight every day… because we love God and life, the most wonderful gift God has given us,” he stated.