“Many Christians, including some members of religious institutes, contributed to policies of cultural assimilation that, in the past, seriously harmed indigenous communities in various ways,” admitted the Holy See’s secretary of state .
In statements published Sunday by Vatican News, the prelate said that among the main objectives of the visit is “the embrace with the indigenous peoples and the local Church”.
This trip, the 37th made by Francis since his election on March 13, 2017, will last until the 29th of this month and is the second one made by a pope to that country after the one made by John Paul II in September 1984.
The Supreme Pontiff will return to the Vatican on July 30.
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