Pope Francis' monthly prayer intention for June is for the global elimination of torture in all of its manifestations. In his Pope Video message, which was distributed to the whole Catholic Church via the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, the Pope issued this request to end the phenomenon. The Holy Father criticized torture as a scourge that is still present today and not only a relic of the past.

Remembering Our Lord’s Sufferings
The Pope asked the International Community to make a real commitment to eradicate this source of misery by pointing out that our Lord, Jesus Christ, underwent torture and how many people still experience similar agony today.

The Pope wondered how the human potential for cruelty could be so tremendous. He noted that there are complex and extremely severe types of torture, such as degrading an individual, dulling their senses, or mass detentions in terrible conditions that rob them of their humanity.

But this is nothing new, he cautioned. He suggested that we remember how Jesus was crucified and subjected to torture.

Dignity Of Individuals To Be Protected
The dignity of the individual must always come first, according to Pope Francis, who called for an end to the horrible practice of torture. He cautioned that if not, the victims would no longer be considered people but rather mere "things," and they could be brutally tortured, leading to their eventual demise or severe, lifelong bodily and psychological injury.

Additionally, the Pope asked that the International Community ensure help for victims and their families.

Torture: An Ancient Abolished Practice, But Still In Use
The date of his criticism of the custom and the purpose of the prayer itself is not coincidental.

The UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment entered into force on this date in 1987, making June 26th the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. 162 nations accepted the treaty after it was adopted in 1984.

The use of torture has been around since ancient times. Western nations used the judicial system to officially outlaw its usage in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, international law completely forbids it. Nevertheless, it is still used in a lot of nations.

Since its founding in 1981, the United Nations Fund for Victims of Torture has helped over 50,000 victims of torture annually in nations all over the world.