Pope Francis: Women must be ‘honoured and valued’ throughout the world

Pope Francis has called for women in all countries to be “honoured respected and valued”.

The Pope made the comments in a video revealing his prayer intentions for May. Since January 2016, The Apostleship of Prayer has produced monthly videos of Francis’s prayer intentions

In the video for May, Pope Francis said that “the contribution of women in all areas of human activity is undeniable, beginning with the family,” but adds that this contribution must be more than simply recognised by society at large.

“We have done little for the women who are in very difficult situations; despised, marginalised, and even reduced to slavery,” he said.

“We must condemn sexual violence against women and remove the barriers that prevent their full integration into social, political, and economic life.”

The Pope concluded the video with a prayer that “in all countries of the world women may be honoured, respected and valued for their essential contribution to society.”