Pope Francis on Friday reiterated his call for action to combat human trafficking during an audience with the ‘Talitha Kum’ Network on the 11th World Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.

“Human trafficking is a global phenomenon that claims millions of victims and continues unabated,” the pope said.

“It continually finds new ways to infiltrate our societies the world over.

In the face of this tragedy, we must not remain indifferent.

“Like yourselves, we need to unite our forces and our voices, calling upon everyone to accept responsibility for combating this form of crime that profits from the most vulnerable.

“We must not tolerate the shameful exploitation of so many of our sisters and brothers.

“Trafficking in human bodies, the sexual exploitation even of small children and forced labour are a disgrace and a very serious violation of fundamental human rights”.