The Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban-Ki-moon will be in Rome on Tuesday April 28th to meet with Pope Francis.
One of the issues that will surely be addressed is immigration. Just in the last few weeks, hundreds of immigrants drowned along the Mediterranean while trying to make their way to Europe.
It's estimated that in 2014 alone, roughly 3,500 immigrants from Africa and the Middle East have died along this journey. It's a point Pope Francis has highlighted time and time again.
POPE FRANCIS
July 8, 2013
'Who has cried for these people who lost their lives on a boat? For the young mothers who traveled with their children? For those men, who are looking for means to support their families? We are a society that has forgotten the experience of shedding tears.â?
According to Italian officials, roughly 200,000 immigrants could arrive to the country in 2015, if something isn't done to curb the rising number of fleeing refugees.
The environment will be another focal point. Especially with the UN hosting the Climate Change Conference in Paris in December.
The Pope is writing an encyclical on the environment and in a recent general audience, he highlighted the importance of caring for Mother Nature.
POPE FRANCIS
April 22
'The Earth must be cared for, it's a garden to sow in. May the relationship between mankind and Nature not be guided by greed, manipulation or exploitation.â?
Human Trafficking will be another point of concern. In fact, most recently the Vatican sponsored a conference on how to help victims of human trafficking and most importantly, on how to prevent it.
The Pope called on governments to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
POPE FRANCIS
April 18th, 2015
'A suitable method must be applied to punish accomplices that take part in this inhumane market. Civil authorities must be more aware of the seriousness of this tragedy that makes humanity take a step backwards.â?
There are an estimated 36 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. Roughly 70 percent of those affected are women.
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