As crowds welcome Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square he highlights the issue of torture -- calling for its abolition.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:<br/> <br />"Dear Brothers and Sisters, the 26th of June is designated as the United Nations Day for the Victims of Torture. In this circumstance, I reiterate the firm condemnation of all forms of torture and call for Christians to commit themselves to cooperate towards its abolition and support victims and their families. To torture a person is a mortal sin; it is a very serious sin."<br/> <br />Earlier this week the Vatican said the Pope would hold no general audiences during the month of July.<br/> <br />It noted he had also cut back on such audiences in both July and August last summer in order to rest,<br/> <br />The pope is due to visit South Korea from Aug. 13-18 to take part in a gathering of Catholic Youth from all of Asia and hold a mass for peace and reconciliation on the divided Korean peninsula.
