Pope visits 20 trafficked women rescued from prostitution

Yesterday Pope Francis visited a refugee centre in Rome housing women rescued from prostitution as part of his 'Friday of Mercy' gestures during this Jubilee Year of Mercy. The home is run by the Pope John the 23rd community.

During his visit, Pope Francis met 20 women rescued from the sex trade who were trafficked from their countries of origin that included Romania, Albania, Nigeria, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Italy.

All of the women were the victims of severe physical abuse during their ordeal and are living under protection.

A statement from the Holy See Press office said the Pope's visit to this refugee centre is another reminder of the need to fight against human trafficking, which the Pope has described as "a crime against humanity" and "an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ."

Source: VIS