Halt scourge of slavery, Pope tells world leaders

Pope Francis has urged governments to take decisive action against the $150billion a year (£116billion) human trafficking business and the plight of millions of modern-day slaves.

Francis was addressing tens of thousands of people in St Peter’s Square, two days after the Roman Catholic Church held an annual day of prayer and awareness about the issue. “I appeal particularly to governments, so that the causes of this scourge are confronted decisively, and the victims are protected,” the Pope said.