Pope Francis waves to faithful from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square during the Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican, Sunday, July 30, 2017. The pontiff is urging greater commitment against human trafficking, which he called ''a form of modern slavery.'' The pope made the appeal during his traditional Sunday prayer on the U.N.'s world day against trafficking in persons. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) - 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 Sunday prayer on the U.N.'s world day against trafficking.
Francis said "every year, thousands of men, women and children are innocent victims of labor exploitation, and sex and organ trafficking." He added that it has become something considered normal: "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 traffickers "change their hearts."
The International Labor Organization estimates 21 million people are victims globally of forced labor, including victims of human trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation.
Pope Francis leaves his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the end of the Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican, Sunday, July 30, 2017. The pontiff is urging greater commitment against human trafficking, which he called ''a form of modern slavery.'' The pope made the appeal during his traditional Sunday prayer on the U.N.'s world day against trafficking in persons. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis delivers a blessing from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square during the Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican, Sunday, July 30, 2017. Pope Francis is urging greater commitment against human trafficking, which he called ''a form of modern slavery.'' The pope made the appeal during his traditional Sunday prayer on the U.N.'s world day against trafficking in persons. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press