Pope calls for greater commitment to fight human trafficking

Pope Francis is urging the world to show a greater commitment to fighting human trafficking, which he called "a form of modern slavery." The pope made the appeal during his traditional today prayer on the UN's world day against trafficking.

Francis said "every year, thousands of men, women and children are innocent victims of labour exploitation, and sex and organ trafficking." He added: "This is ugly. It is cruel.

It is criminal."

He called on the world to renew its commitment to battling "this abhorrent plague, a form of modern slavery," and to pray that the traffickers "change their hearts." The International Labour Organisation estimates that 21 million people around the world are victims of forced labour, including victims of human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)