Pope Francis uses new year mass to condemn slavery and human trafficking

Reuters

Pope Francis has urged people of all religions and cultures to unite to fight modern slavery and human trafficking, saying in his first mass of 2015 that everyone has a God-given right to be free.

The service at St Peter’s Basilica marks the Roman Catholic church’s World Day of Peace. This year’s theme is No Longer Slaves, but Brothers and Sisters.

“All of us are called [by God] to be free, all are called to be sons and daughters, and each, according to his or her own responsibilities, is called to combat modern forms of enslavement. From every people, culture and religion, let us join our forces,” he said.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/01/pope-francis-new-year-mass-slavery-human-trafficking