The Pope met at Casa Santa Marta with a delegation from the Talitha Kum network on the occasion of the Day of Prayer for Human Trafficking. Pope Francis highlighted the violation of human rights involved in trafficking.
POPE FRANCIS
We cannot accept that so many sisters and brothers are exploited in such a vile way. The body trade, sexual exploitation, even of boys and girls, and forced labor are a disgrace and a serious violation of basic human rights.
Francis called on everyone to take responsibility for confronting this type of criminality, which affects, above all, those in the most vulnerable situations.
POPE FRANCIS
I encourage all organizations in this network and all individuals in it to continue to join forces, putting victims and survivors at the center, listening to their stories, caring for their wounds and amplifying their voices.
The Pope also recalled the story of St. Josephine Bakhita, who, despite her sufferings, managed to free herself and became a symbol of hope. To all those present, he encouraged them to be ambassadors of the same hope.
JH
