Pope Francis said on Tuesday that modern slavery is a `` crime against humanity '' and is `` unfortunately becoming worse and worse every day . '' `` This takes place in hiding , behind closed doors , in private homes , in the streets , in the cars , in factories , in the fields , in fishing boats , and in so many other places , '' the Pope said through an interpreter during a panel discussion Tuesday led by CNN 's Christiane Amanpour . `` This takes place both in cities and in villages -- in villages of the richest and the poorest nations on earth . '' A diverse group of faith leaders gathered at the Vatican on Tuesday to sign a declaration pledging to `` inspire spiritual and practical action by all global faiths and people of good will everywhere '' to eradicate slavery by the year 2020 . Leaders and representatives of Catholic , Anglican and Orthodox Christianity , Judaism , Shiite and Sunni Islam , Buddhism and Hinduism all were present and signed the initiative . CNN has championed the cause of eradicating slavery , having launched its Freedom Project in March 2011 . An estimated 35.8 million people are enslaved , according to the Global Slavery Index . As the Pope pointed out , the problem is far from limited to developing countries : More than 60,000 people are estimated to be enslaved in the United States , more than 10,000 in Germany and more than 1,000 in Sweden . Most victims in Europe and Central Asia are forced into sexual exploitation , the United Nations says ; in East Asia and the Pacific region , most are used for forced labor . `` The victims come from all walks of life , but most times they are the poorest and the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters , '' Francis said . The joint declaration calls modern slavery a `` crime against humanity , '' and says that eradication in less than a decade is achievable . `` Today we have the opportunity , awareness , wisdom , innovation and technology to achieve this human and moral imperative , '' it states . Pope Francis begins mending the schism with Orthodox Christians .
In a panel with other faith leaders , Francis calls slavery a `` crime against humanity '' Buddhist , Muslim , Buddhist , Buddhist and Jewish representatives sign declaration . By signing , they pledge to support action to eradicate slavery by March 2011 . Global Slavery Index : More than 60,000 people are in bondage worldwide .