Pope Francis calls for an end to child slavery

Pope Francis calls for an end to child slavery

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has issued a heartfelt appeal to all men and women of goodwill to join in the effort to remove the causes of modern slavery.

Speaking after the recitation of the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope, once again, highlighted some of the priorities of today's world and referred specifically to the World Day Against Child Labour marked on Sunday.

"All together let us join in renewing the effort to remove the causes of this modern slavery that deprives millions of children of some fundamental rights and exposes them to serious danger. There are many child slaves in the world today!”

Celebrated under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the focus of this year’s “World Day Against Child Labour” is on child labour and supply chains. 

The ILO points out that with 168 million children still in child labour, all supply chains, from agriculture to manufacturing, services to construction, run the risk that child labour may be present and it appeals to businesses and employers to act now to stop child labour once and for all as has been affirmed by the Sustainable Development Goals.

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