Pope Francis: The Joy of Love

References to Human Trafficking in Apostolic Exhortation

In his latest Apostolic Exhortaion, The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia), Pope Francis made a number of references to human trafficking:

“Migration is particularly dramatic and devastating to families and individuals when it takes place illegally and is supported by international networks of human trafficking. This is equally true when it involves women or unaccompanied children who are forced to endure long periods of time in temporary facilities and refugee camps, where it is impossible to start a process of integration.” (Amoris Laetitia, 46)

“Extreme poverty and other situations of family breakdown sometimes even lead families to sell their children for prostitution or for organ trafficking”. (Amoris Laetitia, 46)

“The best interests of the child should always underlie any decision in adoption and foster care. On the other hand, the trafficking of children between countries and continents needs to be prevented by appropriate legislative action and state control”. (Amoris Laetitia, 180)