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Pope Francis condemned "bloodsuckers" who grow rich by exploiting others on Thursday, saying that abusing and overworking employees is nothing other than modern day slavery.
"To live from the blood of others is a mortal sin!,” he exclaimed. “A mortal sin! And it requires penitence, much restitution to be absolved of this sin.”
Francis, who frequently speaks of his concern for the poor, appeared to be referring to the kind of grueling labor often done by poor migrants in rich countries across the world, but also to many other workers on precarious contracts.
During mass at the Vatican, he told a story about a girl who found a job working 11 hours a day for 650 euros (US$729) a month, paid "under the table.”
And the pope failed to mention how children in Latin America, particularly Mexico, are enslaved and paid miserable wages amounting to less than US$200 to US$300 a month.
"This is starving the people with their work for my own profit! Living on the blood of the people. And this is a mortal sin," he said at the service in his Santa Marta residence.
"Without a pension, without health care ... then they suspend (the contract), and in July and August (the workers) have to eat air. And in September, they laugh at you about it. Those who do that are true bloodsuckers."
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