Highlights Female Circumcision, Pope Francis Firmly Condemns Trafficking Of Women For Prostitution

Pope Francis. (Vatican News YouTube Screenshot)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis condemned genital mutilation or female circumcision and trafficking of women for prostitution on Sunday, calling them shameful insults to the dignity of women and urging officials to do everything possible to end both.

"This practice, which is unfortunately common in many parts of the world, demeans a woman and seriously attacks her physical integrity," said Pope Francis, speaking on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

According to the United Nations, FGM is concentrated in about 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East but is also practiced by immigrant populations elsewhere. More than four million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM this year, the United Nations says.

Addressing pilgrims and tourists in St Peter's Square for his weekly blessing and speech, the Pope noted the practice is often carried out under conditions that endanger a girl's health.

In a related appeal, Pope Francis called for more efforts to stop trafficking in persons, particularly women and girls for forced prostitution.

"This is a deep wound inflicted by the disgraceful pursuit of profit without respect for the human person," the Pope said ahead of Tuesday's International Day of Prayer and Awareness of the Catholic Church Against Trafficking in Persons.

"There are so many girls that we see on the streets who are not free. They are slaves of merchants who send them to work and beat them if they don't return with money. This is happening today, in our cities."

They include Rome where authorities say criminal gangs lure women to Italy with the promise of jobs and then force them into prostitution, threatening to endanger their families at home if they go to the police.

Calling FGM and human trafficking "the wounds of humanity," Pope Francis urged leaders "to act decisively to stop the exploitation and shameful practice that afflicts all women and girls".

To note, Catholic nuns in Rome are at the forefront of fighting trafficking in women. In 2016, Pope Francis visited a Rome safe house where a charity protects women freed from pimps.