Vatican To Host Meetings On Climate Change, Human Trafficking

7/22/2015
VaticantohostmeetingsonClimateChange,HumanTrafficking
Vatican to host meetings

on Climate Change,
Human Trafficking
20150715VaticanRadio
(Vatican Radio) A press conference was
held in the Holy See Press Office to
discuss two meetings taking place in the
Vatican next week on climate change,
human trafficking, and sustainable
development.
The meetings will bring together mayors from around the world, to discuss how
cities can help contribute to the solution of some of these problems facing
humanity.
The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences will host the workshop Modern
Slavery and Climate Change: the Commitment of the Cities and the symposium
Prosperity,People,andPlanet:AchievingSustainableDevelopmentinOurCities
in the Vaticans Casina Pio IV on 21 22 July 2015, for the first time bringing a
groupofinternationalmayorstotheVatican.
The Chancellor of the Academy, Bishop Marcelo Snchez Sorondo, said the
climatecrisisandmodernslaverywereinterconnectedemergencies,statingthat
although the poor and the excluded have the least effect on climate change
theyarethemostexposedtotheterriblethreatposedbyhumaninducedclimate
disruption.
Bishop Snchez said in this fundamental moral context, cities and their mayors
http://www.news.va/en/news/vaticantohostmeetingsonclimatechangehumant
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playakeyrole.
Currently, most of humanity is concentrated in formal and informal urban
settlementsandthistrendissettoincrease,hesaid.
Weintendforthemayorstocommittopromotingtheempowermentofthepoor
and of those who live in vulnerable conditions in our cities and in our urban
settlements,reducingtheirexposuretoextremeweathereventscausedbyradical
environmental, economic and social instabilities, which create fertile ground for
forcedmigrationandhumantrafficking,hesaid.
The full prepared remarks by Bishop Snchez are below, followed by comments
fromparticipatingmayors
TheremarksbyBishopSnchez
WeareheretodaytotalkaboutthemeetingofJuly21,inwhichthemayorsofthe
worldwillexaminetwointerconnectedemergencies:theclimatecrisisandmodern
slavery.Ithinkit'sthefirsttimethemayorsareinvitedtotheVatican.
TheMayors
Why the mayors? When the Santa Marta Group was founded by the Pope,
CardinalNicholsandafewbishopsacoupleofyearsagoattheheadquartersof
the Pontifical Academy of Sciences to bring together police chiefs and bishops
from all over the world, the police chiefs stressed the importance of having the
bishopssupporttheirmoralcommitmenttowardsthepoorestofthepoor.
However, they also pointed out that they report not to the bishops but to the
governors,andinmanycasestothemayors.Followingtheiradvice,wehavethus
tried to bring together the mayors to determine the best practices to mitigate
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climatechangeanderadicatemodernslavery.
AnthropicGlobalWarming
As stated in Laudato si, The climate is a common good, belonging to all and
meant for all. At the global level, it is a complex system linked to many of the
essentialconditionsforhumanlife(23).ThePopeaddsthatthereisaverysolid
scientific consensus indicating that we are presently witnessing a disturbing
warmingoftheclimaticsystem.AsthePontificalAcademyofScienceshasshown
in several studies, available as free downloads on our website www.pas.va, this
warminghasbeenaccompaniedbyaconstantriseinthesealevel.Moreover,its
difficultnottolinkittoextremeweathereventssuchasprolongeddrought,heat
wavesanddestructivestorms,whicharebecomingmoreandmorefrequent.
Humanity, therefore, is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle,
production and consumption, in order to combat this warming or at least the
human causes, which produce or aggravate it. As the Pope says in Laudato si,
"The problem is aggravated by a model of development based on the intensive
useoffossilfuels,whichisattheheartoftheworldwideenergysystem"(23).
Relativism:TheOtherAsaMereObject
According to Laudato si, these humaninduced climaterelated phenomena,
coupledwiththecultureofrelativism,encourageindividualstotakeadvantageof
otherindividualsasmereobjects,usingthemforforcedlabourorenslavingthem.
PopeFrancisbelievesthisisthesamelogicthatleadstothesexualexploitation
ofchildrenandabandonmentoftheelderlywhonolongerserveourinterests.
LinksBetweentheClimateCrisisandSocialExclusion
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences agrees with the Holy Father that there is a
clear link between the two humaninduced emergencies of the climate crisis and
thesocialcrisis.FollowingtheEncyclical,ourcommitmentistomakethewholeof
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society aware of these phenomena and of the human responsibilities of these

crisesandtoreactfirmly,asanewmoralimperativeforallofhumanityinfavour
ofthecommongood.
In this fundamental moral context, cities and their mayors play a key role.
Currently, most of humanity is concentrated in formal and informal urban
settlements and this trend is set to increase. Each of our cultural traditions also
affirms the inherent dignity and the social responsibility of each individual in
relationtothecommongood.Theyemphasizetheimportanceoflivingtogetherin
the polis for the fulfilment of the social, cultural and religious identity of every
human being and for the beauty, wonder and inherent goodness of the world,
recognizing it as a precious gift that supports life and is entrusted to our
stewardship.Itisnotamatterofpreservingitasinamuseum,butofdevelopingit
according to its potential, following the very laws of nature. Respecting and
developingourcommonhomeratherthandevastatingitisamoralimperative.
ThePoorandtheExcludedAretheMostExposed
As the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has remarked, although the poor
and the excluded have the least effect on climate change and often live on the
outskirts of the city, they are the most exposed to the terrible threat posed by
humaninducedclimatedisruption.However,theworldnowhaswithinreachthe
scientific knowledge, technological tools and financial means to reverse
anthropogenic climate change, while ending extreme poverty at the same time
through solutions that include renewable and low carbon emission energy
sources.
Wethereforehopetoachievethat"integralecology"proposedbyLaudatosi'"to
recoverasereneharmonywithcreation,reflectingonourlifestyleandourideals,
and contemplating the Creator who lives among us and surrounds us (225),
particularlyinthecitiesinwhichweleadoursociallife.
Financing the initiative in favour of this "integral ecology", including the decisive
containment of human induced climate change, could also be based on the
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relentlesspursuitofpeace,whichwouldallowaredistributionofpublicspending
from military expenditure towards urgent investments for the benefit of social
inclusionandtheeffectivemonitoringofcarbonemissions,particularlyinthecities.
TheMayorsCommitment
We intend for the mayors to commit to promoting the empowerment of the poor
and of those who live in vulnerable conditions in our cities and in our urban
settlements,reducingtheirexposuretoextremeweathereventscausedbyradical
environmental, economic and social instabilities, which create fertile ground for
forcedmigrationandhumantrafficking.
At the same time, we would like the mayors to commit to put an end to abuse,
exploitation, human trafficking and all forms of modern slavery within their
communities.Thesetragicoccurrences,whichPopeBenedictandPopeFrancis
termedcrimesagainsthumanity,alsoincludeforcedlabour,prostitution,organ
traffickinganddomesticservitude.
We would also like the mayors to commit to developing resettlement and social
integrationprogrammesforthevictims,atthenationalandlocallevels,inorderto
avoidtheirinvoluntaryrepatriation(cfr.ThePASSrevisionoftheUNSustainable
DevelopmentGoals,no.16.2).
Inshort,wewouldlikeourcitiesandurbansettlementstobecomemoresocially
inclusive, safe, resilient and ecologically integrated (cfr. UN Sustainable
DevelopmentGoals,no.11).
WorkshopModernSlaveryandClimateChange:theCommitmentoftheCities
Symposium Prosperity, People and Planet: Achieving Sustainable Development
inOurCities
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(VaticanCity,CasinaPioIV,21to22July2015)
QuotesfromMayors,Governors,StateSecretaries(alphabeticalorder):
Belo Horizonte Mayor and President of National Front of Mayor Marcio Lacerda:
"We'll bring the Pope a successful strategy to overcome poverty [and promote]
social and productive inclusion. We, Brazilian mayors, are promoting training,
microcredit and entrepreneurship to generate employment and income,
guaranteeing dignity to the poor. We have shown that we are able to implement
effective public policies that are inclusive and have been rescuing millions of
Braziliansoutofextremepoverty.
BerlinSenatePermanentSecretaryChristianGaebler:Roughly60percentofthe
globalpopulationlivesincities.These60percentareresponsibleforabout7080
percentofglobalenergyproductionand,atthesametimearemostvulnerableto
theeffectsofclimatechange.Thereareanumberofchallengesthatwearefacing
andtrytokeepupwith.Tomakeupthechallenges,theBerlinSenatesetthegoal
forthecitytobecomeclimateneutralby2050.ThecityofBerlinwillpresentits
climate and energy policy, being aware of our responsibility as an European
capital and openly aim at being a frontrunner in climate protection and energy
policy.
BirminghamMayor,andHumanRightsFirstAmbassador,TheHonorableWilliam
A. Bell: "Eradicating human trafficking, the fastest growing criminal enterprise in
the world, will require a coordinated effort from faith leaders, business leaders,
governments, and law enforcement from around the world. I look forward to this
importantopportunitytobuildpartnershipswiththeVaticanandothergovernment
leaderstodevelopsolutionstoaddressthishorrifichumanrightsproblem."
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Bogot Mayor Gustavo Petro Urrego: "Today we have a deep conflict between
humanity and the market, for that reason we will see increasing social
mobilization,seekingtodefendlifeinaterritoryaffectedbyinequalityandclimate
change.IinviteyoutoexperienceinSeptember2015from20to23,theBogot
ClimateSummit."
BostonMayorMartinJ.Walsh:"Iamhonoredtohavetheopportunitytorepresent
the City of Boston at the Vatican to discuss the vital issues of human trafficking
andprotectingourenvironment.Ilookforwardtojoiningmypeersfromaroundthe
worldtocollaborateonhowwecanprepareourcitiesforthefuture."
BoulderMayorMatthewAppelbaum:Boulderishonoredtojoinindiscussionwith
Pope Francis and this group of global cities that have shown leadership through
theiractionstoaddresstheclimatecrisis.TheCityofBoulderhaslongprioritized
environmentalstewardshipandsustainabilitythroughpartnershipswithourfederal
labs, the University of Colorado, local businesses, nonprofits, and our very
supportive citizens. Boulder and all local governments have essential roles in
developing and implementing policies and technical solutions to mitigate, and
adaptto,climatechange,andworkingtogethertofindinnovativeandresponsible
environmentalactionsthatcanbeadoptedglobally.
California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.: "In the spirit of the pope's encyclical
thisunprecedentedgatheringofgloballeadersisawakeupcalltofaceuptothe
common threats of climate change and human exploitation. This is about the
future of humanity and how we as human beings live and treat one another and
thenaturalworldaroundus."
Gudiawaye Mayor and President of the National Association of Mayors of
Senegal (AMS) Mr Aliou SALL: "Development is a matter of harmony, balance
andbalancebetweentheneedsandconcernsofthepopulationononehandand
the available resources available and on the other, respect for human dignity,
respectingofnature,andincompliancewiththeprinciplesofpeace,forajustand
sustainableworld.
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Kingston Mayor, Senator, Councilor Dr. Angela Brown Burke, J.P.: Here in
Jamaica we are constantly reminded of our contribution to and the effects of
humaninduced climate change as we experience hotter days and nights, less
rainfall and longer periods of drought. And even as global and economic
development are top of the agenda, we are mindful of our symbiotic relationship
with the environment the oxygen that is produced by plants is vital to our
continued existence and plants cannot survive without the carbon dioxide we
exhale. I am grateful that we (Jamaica) have been afforded the opportunity to
participate in these meetings where we can explore and share ideas on how we
canliveuptoourGodgivenmandateasordainedcustodiansoftheearth.
KochiMayorTonyChammany:"Thethreatofclimatechangeisloominglargeover
ourplanetanditsaftermathcertainlyisgoingchangetheworldorderandsystem.
Weallneedtoworktogethertoaddresstheissueonaglobal,nationalandlocal
level. The Vatican summit on the subject, we hope, would change the way our
nations and cities are going to address the issue. We hope nations and cities
would ensure their commitment. Let us all work together towards making our
planetmoreresilientthroughcooperationbetweeninstitutionsandindividuals,and
scienceandgovernance."
LubumbashiMayorJeanOscarSanguzaMutunda:"Lubumbashi,cityofpeace,is
working alongside other cities in the fight against poverty and environmental
degradation,andsupportsthesearchforlastingsolutionsagainstclimatechange.
Mexico City Mayor Miguel ngel Mancera Espinosa: Mayors of cities have the
responsibility to ensure the enhancement of social fabric recognizing the close
relationship between environmental degradation and poverty. The policies
implemented from cities aimed to protect the environment will help the
development of vulnerable populations, social harmony, social inclusion and the
integrityandsafetyofallcitizens.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges: I am deeply thankful that Pope Francis is
tacklingissuesofsuchgraveimportancenotonlytomycityofMinneapolisbutto
theworld.Itsanhonortohavebeenaskedtojointheupcominggatheringatthe
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Vatican.IlookforwardtolearninghowMinneapoliscanjoinhandsinglobalefforts
aroundclimatechangeandendingthefactorsthatcontributeto21stcenturytrade
inhumanbeings,andtosharethesuccesseswethatweasacityhaveachieved.
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu: It is an honor and privilege to join His
HolinessPopeFrancisashebringstogetherthisgroupofinternationalleadersfor
an actionoriented gathering about opportunities and challenges facing local
governments. This type of honest, proactive collaboration will help create more
peaceful,prosperousandresilientcommunitiesaroundtheworld.
Oslo Mayor Stian Berger Rsland: "I am very much looking forward to discuss
sustainable development of our cities to reduce global climate change and by
arrangingthissymposiums,TheVaticaniscontributingtofindtheviablelongterm
solutions we all work towards. When we say humans must, and can, reduce our
climategasemissions,peopledonotenvisionagoodpublictransportsystemor
responsible building legislation. But when cities emit 70% of the worlds CO2,
clearly,wedohavegamechangingtools."
ParisMayorAnneHidalgo:"Modernslaveryandclimatedisruptionaretwomajor
and intertwined issues for our capital cities. We shall face these challenges
collectively,engagingthepoliticalandspiritualforcesofourlocalcommunities.
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales: We are going to the Vatican to listen, of course,
but also to tell the Portland story: We have made great strides in protecting our
environment. Portland was acting on carbon reduction before many cities, states
and countries started talking about carbon. I want to hear from the other
participants,butIwantthemtohearourstory,too.
PortoAlegreMayorJosFortunati:"Theworldischangingquicklyand,inthisnew
context,citiesincreasinglygainprominentrolesnotonlyintheimplementation,but
alsointhedefinitionofpoliciesinmattersofglobalinterest,suchastheissueof
climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development. The call
ofPopeFrancisforcitiestodebateandpresenteffectiveproposalsforthesolution
of these modern problems is very important in order to establish a common and
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sharedglobalagenda,focusingonreducingemissionsofgreenhousegasesand
fightingpovertyandsocialinequalities.Municipalitieshaveanextremelyimportant
protagonisminmobilizingthepopulationtotheappropriationofpublicspacesand
to the sense of belonging. That is, the city is our home and we all have
responsibilitiesandcommitmentstoitandtotheplanet.TheCapitalofRioGrande
do Sul, for example, is a reference in the empowerment of citizens, which helps
thegovernmenttosetprioritiesthroughtheparticipatorybudget."
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes: "Pope Francis has been an example of
inspiringleadership,andIcommendHisHolinessforplacingtheurgentmatterof
sustainability in the center of the universal discussion. By 2050, more than two
thirds of the world's population is expected to live in cities, so to stimulate urban
sustainabilityiskeytocontainconsumptionofnaturalresourceswhilediminishing
theimpactsofclimatechangeonpeople'sdailylivesandsocialconditions.C40
cities have the potential to reduce their annual cumulative greenhouse gas
emissions by 1 billion tons by 2020, which shows that together and coordinated,
leadershavethepowertoprotectthecities,ourcommonhome.
Rome Mayor Ignazio R. Marino: "Addressing climate change and its effects
presents a double and global challenge: the first priority is "mitigation," that is
limitingfurtherclimatechangebyreducingtheproductionofgreenhousegas.The
secondis"adaptation,"thatmeanspreparingtheimpactofclimatechangethatis
nowinevitabletosaveplanetEarth.Itisessentialthatclimatechangebetackled
inanintegratedway.Choosingbetweenmitigationandadaptationiscomparable
tothechoicebetweenrepairingdefectivebrakesofabicycleandbuyingahelmet
instead. Functioning brakes help prevent accidents, whereas the helmet is
intended to prevent disaster. Rome is committed to create a permanent network
between cities wishing to engage in the fight against climate change thanks to
good energy saving practices. Because climate change is a terrific challenge for
thefutureandamajorneedtoshapethecityalsoforthenextgenerations.
Rosario Mayor Mnica Fein: The cities have the opportunity to build
transformations that allow equal opportunities to those who are less fortunate.
Theycanalsotakecareofthecommonhousewithintegratedpolicies,whichwill
ensure a better future for generations to come. I am sure that this meeting,
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organizedbyPopeFrancis,willhelpuscomeupwithnewideasonhowtotake
action regarding these two dramatic emergencies, which are the climate change
crisisandthenewsformsofslavery.Webelievethatoneofthemaintopicsinthis
discussion should be how could a common citizen get involved and aid us with
theseideas.Wethinkitisimportantthateverycitizenhastherighttotakepartin
these transformations so that they can maintain a stable environment where we
can incorporate new policies regarding waste management, alternative energy,
sustainablemobility,inclusionandequalrights.
SanFranciscoMayorEdwinLee:Wemustacturgentlytocombatclimatechange
andendhumansuffering,andIamhonoredtojoinPopeFrancisinaglobalcallto
action. I am eager to join this historic gathering of national and international
leaders,includingGovernorJerryBrown,tosharehowSanFranciscohasreached
andexceededaggressiveclimatechangegoalsevenwhilegrowingtheeconomy
and seeing increases in our population. We can and will act locally to make
meaningfulchangeglobally."
SoPauloMayorFernandoHaddad:"Contemporarycitieshavebeensuffocated
bytheprivatizationofpublicspaces,individualismandconsumerism.Thisprocess
hasverystrongimpactsontheenvironmentalandsocioeconomicbalance,risking
humansurvival.Theroleofmayorsistogivepriorityattentiontothisissue.
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray: Seattle is an innovative leader in sustainability and
carbon reduction, but too often the benefits of our progress are not equitably
shared. Our most atrisk communities, lowincome families, and communities of
color are disproportionally impacted by climate change. Seattle is committed to
changingthisthroughourEquityandEnvironmentInitiativetoensurestrongsocial
justiceoutcomesinourenvironmentalpolicy.Imhumbledtohavetheopportunity
tosharethisexperiencewithgloballeadersasweheedthePopescallforaction.
UK Independent AntiSlavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland: "Climate change is
dramaticallyincreasingthefrequencyandseverityofnaturaldisastersaroundthe
world.Thisinturniscontributingtotheeverincreasingdisplacementofvulnerable
people, many of whom have become easy targets for human traffickers. The re
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emergence of slavery is one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime and we

cruciallyneedapost2015UNdevelopmentagendathatlocatesthefightagainst
modernslaveryattheheartofbothhumanitarianresponseeffortsandthestrategy
to promote sustainable and longterm development. Pope Francis and the
Pontifical Academies are giving us the leadership and moral authority to realize
thisessentialobjective."
StockholmMayorKarinWanngrd:Intercitycooperationisvitaltoaddressmany
of the social, economic and ecological challenges facing the international
community. This meeting is a crucial step on the path towards sustainable
development.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson: Climate change is the most urgent
challenge facing humanity today, and it is a remarkable honor to be invited by
PopeFrancistodiscusshowcitiesandtheglobalcommunitycanandmustactin
concert to drastically reduce climate pollution. Pope Francis' leadership will build
on the resounding unity of big cities worldwide in calling for meaningful and
binding emissions targets, and for a climate agreement signed in Paris that
respectstheneedsofourcities,ourplanetandthegenerationstocome.
Listofparticipants
Mr.EdmundG.BrownJr.,GovernorofCalifornia
Ms.BetsyHodges(Minneapolis)
Mr.EdMurray(Seattle)
Mr.CharlieHales(Portland)
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Mr.MartyWalsh(Boston)
Mr.MitchLandrieu(NewOrleans)
Ms.AnneHidalgo(Paris)
Mr.StianBergerRsland(Oslo)
Mr.IgnazioMarino(Rome)
Mr.DarioNardella(Florence)
Mr.LuigideMagistris(Naples)
Ms.GiusiNicolini(Lampedusa,Italy)
Mr.PieroFassino(PresidentoftheItalianMunicipalitiesAssociationandMayorof
Turin,Italy)
Mr.AntonioDecaro(Bari,Italy)
Mr.GregorRobertson(Vancouver,CA)
Mr.EduardoPaes(RiodeJaneiro)
Mr.EduardoAccastello(VillaMaria,Argentina)
Mr.TonyChammany(Kochi,India)
Dr.MohammadBagherGhalibaf(Tehran,Iran)
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Prof.JuliusIhonvbere(EdoState,Nigeria)
MrMamb(GovernoroftheAutonomusDistrictdAbidjan)
MadameRoseChristianeOssoukaRaponda(Libreville,Gabon)
Mr.AliouSall,MayorofGudiawayeandPresidentoftheNationalAssociationof
MayorsofSenegal
Mr.JarosawJwiak(DeputyMayorofWarsaw)
Ms.YelgiLaviniaVerleyKnight(Siquirres,CostaRica)
Hon.AlfredMartinAruo(Soroti,Uganda)
Ms.KarinWanngrd(Stockholm)
Ms.AngelaBrownBurke(Kingston,Jamaica)
Mr.MatthewAppelbaum(Boulder,Colorado)
Mr.Witoldmiaek(AdvisortotheMayorofKrakow)
Mr.MarcioLacerda(BeloHorizonte)
Mr.FernandoHaddad(SaoPaulo)
Ms.MnicaFein(Rosario)
Mr.GustavoPetro(Bogot)
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Mr.MiguelngelManceraEspinosa(MexicoCity)
Mr.GeorgeFerguson(Bristol)
Mr.JosFortunati(PortoAlegre)
Mr.ChristianGaebler(StateSecretaryforTransportandEnvironment,Berlin)
Mr.WilliamA.Bell(Birmingham,Alabama)
Mr.MilanBandic(Zagreb)
Mr.EnzoBianco(Catania)
Mr.EdwinLee(SanFrancisco)
Mr.LeolucaOrlando(Palermo)
Mr.MassimoZedda(Cagliari)
Mr.SamLiccardo(SanJos,California)
Mr.MphoParksTau(Johannesburg)
HonorableMrKagisoThutlwe(Gaborone,Botswana)
Mr.PauloGarcia(Goinia)
Mr.GustavoFruet(Curitiba)
Mr.AlfredOkoeVanderpuije(Accra)
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Mr.TonyLloyd(Manchester)
Ms.ManuelaCarmena(Madrid)
Mr.MahamudoAmurane(Nampula)
Mr.GiulianoPisapia(Milan)
Mr.AntnioCarlosMagalhesNeto(Salvador)
Mr.NasereddineZenasni(Algiers)
Mr.VirginioMerola(Bologna)
Mr.GiorgioGori(Bergamo)
Mr.JeanOscarSanguzaMutunda(Lubumbashi)
Mr.FedericoPizzarotti(Parma)
(fromVaticanRadio)
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Vatican To Host Meetings On Climate Change, Human Trafficking

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7/22/2015

Vatican to host meetings

society aware of these phenomena and of the human responsibilities of these

emergence of slavery is one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime and we

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