Pope Francis said Sunday that human
traffickers must be stopped as he expressed pain at last week's
migrant-boat shipwreck off the Calabrian town of Cutro.
So far 70 people, including 16 minors, are confirmed to have
died in the disaster and it is estimated that dozens more are
missing feared dead.
"May human traffickers be stopped, and may they not continue to
throw away the lives of so many innocent people," the Argentine
pontiff said during his Angelus service.
"May the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea never again be
bloodied by such dramatic incidents."
The pope also expressed "appreciation and gratitude to local
residents and institutions for their solidarity and welcome for
these brothers and sisters of ours".
He asked God to give everyone the "strength to understand and
mourn."
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