Pope's appeal: governments tackle with determination the causes of human trafficking

María Cecilia Mutual – Vatican City

After finishing the prayer to the Mother of God, Pope Francis recalled that two days ago, in the liturgical memory of St. Josephine Bakhita, was celebrated the fifth "World Day against Trafficking in Human Beings" ", whose slogan is" Together Against It Treats It. "" It's an invitation to join forces to take up this challenge, "said Francisco.

Thanks to the religious

The Pope thanks "those who fight on this front", especially "so many religious".

And he reiterates his urgent appeal to governments to deal with this scourge:

Together we report cases of exploitation and slavery

Francisco shows that "we can and must all work to denounce the cases of exploitation and slavery of men, women and children" and adds that the "strength" that supports our common commitment is prayer.

The prayer to St. Josephine Bakhita

Hence his invitation to pray together the Santa slave the prayer distributed in the Plaza de San Pedro:

"Santa Josefina Bakhita, as a child, you were sold as a slave and you had to face untold hardship and suffering.

"Once freed from your physical slavery, you have found true redemption in the encounter with Christ and his church, Santa Josefina Bakhita, help all who are enslaved, and in his name intercede before God. mercy so that the chains of his captivity are broken. "

Jesus model of faith and hope for the victims

"May God liberate all those who have been threatened, injured, or abused by human trafficking and smuggling." He brings relief to those who survive this slavery and teaches them to see Jesus as a model of faith and faith. hope, so that they can heal their wounds. "

Do not fall into indifference

"Please pray and intercede for us all: for fear of falling into indifference, to open our eyes and to look at the miseries and wounds of so many brothers and sisters deprived of their dignity and their freedom and listen to their calls for help, Amen. "