In his remarks following the Sunday Angelus prayer for July 30, 2017, the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. His remarks came as the United Nations observed the World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
Calling human trafficking a “modern form of slavery”, the Pope decried the world’s seeming complacency on the issue. “Each year,” said Pope Francis, “thousands of men, women and children are innocent victims of sexual and organ trafficking, and it seems that we are so accustomed to seeing it as a normal thing.”
The pope ended by leading the pilgrims present in the recitation of the Hail Mary, specifically for the intention of ending human trafficking.
Below are the Pope’s remarks in full:
Today is the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, promoted by the United Nations. Each year, thousands of men, women and children are innocent victims of sexual and organ trafficking, and it seems that we are so accustomed to seeing it as a normal thing. This is ugly, it is cruel, it is criminal! I would like to draw on everyone’s commitment to make this aberrant plague, a modern form of slavery, adequately countered. Let us pray together the Virgin Mary to support the victims of trafficking and to convert the hearts of traffickers.
And today we celebrate...