Andina

Pope Francis meets with Amazonian people in Peru

11:28 | Puerto Maldonado (Madre de Dios region), Jan. 19.

Pope Francis on Friday arrived at Madre de Dios Coliseum, where he leads the meeting with Amazonian indigenous peoples from Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia.


Upon his arrival at the site, he received a standing ovation from those attending the event.

The Vicar Apostolic Bishop of Puerto Maldonado David Martinez was in charge of greeting Pope Francis and highlighted his message for the sake of indigenous peoples.

In his speech, Martinez stressed that representatives of the aboriginal peoples of the rainforest participate in this meeting.

"They reflect the millenary wealth of their cultures, their struggles, and their hope in harmony with nature," he said.

Following his speech, a group of Ashaninka students performed a dance representing their ethnicity and that of all the original peoples present at the meeting with Pope Francis.

(END) MAO/RMB/MVB

Published: 1/19/2018