Pope praises Reverend Giuseppe Puglisi, takes stand against organized crime

May 27, 2013 10:01 GMT  ·  By

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the death of Reverend Giuseppe “Pino” Puglisi, who was gunned down for using the church platform to speak against the Cosa Nostra, Pope Francis is also taking a stand against the Mafia, Fox News informs.

Identifying human trafficking as one of the biggest plagues humanity is facing right now, the Pope praised the Reverend’s courage and ultimate sacrifice in the traditional Sunday papal appearance to pilgrims, tourists and Romans in St. Peter’s Square.

“They cannot make our brothers slaves,” he also said, as cited by the aforementioned media outlet.

“Let us pray that these Mafiosi and Mafiose convert to God,” the Pope added, referring to both men and women involved in organized crime because of the growing number of female Mafia leaders, who are forced to handle business in the place of their incarcerated partners.

Pope Francis was elected after Pope Benedict XVI resigned on health considerations in February.