Vatican City, Feb 10, 2019 / 04:10 am
Pope Francis called Sunday for an end to human trafficking, encouraging Catholics to pray for the intercession of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patron of trafficking victims.
"We all can and must collaborate by denouncing the cases of exploitation and slavery of men, women, and children. Prayer is the force that sustains our common commitment," Pope Francis said after the Angelus prayer Feb. 10.
"May God himself release all those who have been threatened, injured or mistreated by slavery and the trafficking of human beings. He brings relief to those who survive this slavery and teaches them to see Jesus as a model of faith and hope so that they can heal their wounds," he prayed.
Pope Francis thanked all who fight for the end of human trafficking, especially many religious communities, and asked Catholics to recite with him a prayer to St. Josephine Bakhita.