Vatican City, Dec 2, 2014 / 10:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Leaders of the world’s major religions came together at the Vatican on Tuesday to sign a common declaration condemning slavery and urging the world to action, and were addressed by Pope Francis.

“We, the undersigned, are gathered here today for a historic initiative to inspire spiritual and practical action by all global faiths and people of good will everywhere to eradicate modern slavery across the world by 2020 and for all time,” the Dec. 2 declaration read.