Pope blows hot as Nigerian lady tells him Catholics patronise prostitutes

Pope Francis on Monday condemned the use of women across the world for
prostitution.

He described the situation as "crime against humanity" and asked
forgiveness on behalf of Catholic men who patronize prostitutes.

The Christian leader said this while leading the Episcopal Ordination
at Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Blessing Okoedion, a 32-year-old Nigerian who was once a victim of
human sexual trafficking, had told the Pope she was troubled that many
clients of prostitutes on the streets of Rome were Catholics.

"I ask myself and I ask you, is it possible for a Church that is still
too male chauvinist to be able to question itself truthfully about
this high demand by clients?" Reuters quoted her as asking.

Responding, Francis said, "I would like to take advantage of this
moment to ask forgiveness from you (exploited women) and society for
all the Catholics who carry out this criminal act".

"I think of the disgust these girls must feel when men make them do
these things".

Francis added that sexual exploitation of women stemmed from a "sick
mentality" embedded in many people.

"(It says) women are to be exploited in one way or another. And that
is what explains this … it is a sickness of humanity, a sickness of
looking at society in a certain way, a crime against humanity," he
said.

"Who does this is a criminal. This is not making love, this is
torturing a woman. Let's not confuse terms. This is criminal, a sick
mentality".

Prostitutes, most of them victims of human trafficking from Nigeria,
other African countries and Eastern Europe, are found at night on the
streets of Rome's periphery and around parks.