Holy Father Pope Francis met with approximately 110 persons representing survivors, young people, and members of the committee organizing the International Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking. His Holiness Pope Francis pointed out the problems in society which make modern-day slavery possible: ignorance, unwillingness to admit the issue, and hypocrisy.
As reported by Vatican Radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “ I have never lost an occasion to denounce human trafficking as a crime against humanity.” His Holiness Pope Francis asked the young faithful to meet the survivors of human trafficking and asked them to learn the signs that someone might be living in slavery, by reminding that “Because young people are so open, they might have the courage to say what they see happening around them.”
His Holiness concluded his remarks with a prayer to St Josephine Bakhita, the patron of the victims of human trafficking, which Pope Francis prayed together with those present.
