Pope Francis Condemns Child Abuse

Radio Cadena Agramonte (Cuba)
April 8, 2015

http://www.cadenagramonte.cu/english/index.php/show/articles/22126:pope-francis-condemns-child-abuse

Rome, Apr 8.- Pope Francis condemned today child abuse, exploitation, and abandonment, treatments that he considered a shame on society.

During his usual general speech at Saint Peter's Square before thousands of people, the Supreme Pontiff said that children are the first victims of family problems, conflicts, wars and persecution.

Unfortunately, there are children that are victims of criminals, who exploit and subject them to indignant trafficking and smuggling or train them for war and violence, he said.

He also denounced the existence of minors that have no access to education or health assistance, and children that are mistreated and robed of their childhood and youth.

Each marginalized, abandoned child that lives in the streets, begging and with a thick file, without school or medical assistance, is a shout that accuses the system that we, adults, have built, he asserted.

In that reference, he said children are a responsibility to those whose duty is to govern and educate, and to all in general, and urged citizens and countries to take action to change the current situation.

Francis defended the awakening of "sleeping consciousness" and hearts of stone for children not to ever feel lack of love and care.