'Modern Slavery': Pope Francis Calls to Battle 'Plague' of Human Trafficking

In the Sunday address, Pope Francis called the human trafficking a "modern form of slavery" and said that the activity should be "adequately countered."

VATICAN CITY (Sputnik) — Pope Francis said on Sunday that the human trafficking is the present-day form of slavery and called for efforts to end this practice.

"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," the Pope said, as quoted by the Vatican Radio.

Pope Francis added that the believers should pray for the victims of trafficking, as well as for changes in the hearts of traffickers.

In 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons in order to attract attention to the victims of the human traffickers, as well as to protect their rights.