The prayer intention of Pope Francis for the next month of June is published by the Vatican. In a video message, the Pope asks to put an end to torture and those “more sophisticated practices such as degrading treatment, the annulment of the senses or mass detentions in inhumane conditions”.
The Holy Father points out that torture is not something of the past, but “unfortunately, it is part of our history today.” “How is it possible that the human capacity for cruelty is so great?” he questions.
Given this, Pope Francis exhorts to end “this horror”. “It is essential to put the dignity of the person above all else,” he stresses, while recalling that Jesus was “tortured and crucified.”
The Pontiff also points out that not eradicating this type of violence is allowing the victims to be treated as “things” and not as people, “causing their death or permanent psychological and physical damage for a lifetime.”
“Let us pray that the international community commits itself concretely to the abolition of torture, guaranteeing support for the victims and their families”, concludes Pope Francis.
The Holy Father has chosen this prayer intention in the month in which the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is commemorated, established for June 26.