Pope Francis paid a surprise visit to 20 former sex slaves from 6 different countries including Nigeria who are living at a housing center in Rome.
The Pope met with 7 Nigerians, six Romanians and four Albanians, and one each from Italy, Tunisia and the Ukraine. He listened to their stories of forced prostitution, the Vatican said.
The Pope’s visit to the center highlights the need to fight against human trafficking, the Holy See Press office said.
Pope Francis has described human trafficking as “a crime against humanity.” He visited the center as part of his Fridays of Mercy that focuses on victims of suffering.
The Pope has waded into the heart of some of the world’s most marginalized communities, spreading a message of acceptance and compassion.
Since taking over the helm of the Catholic Church, he has visited refugees and migrants, the sick and the elderly, and poor communities in different countries that he has visited.
