POPE-LATAM/BOLIVIA-ARRIVAL UPDATE Pope arrives in Bolivia, praises Bolivia's reforms

Record ID: 135270

  • Title: POPE-LATAM/BOLIVIA-ARRIVAL UPDATE Pope arrives in Bolivia, praises Bolivia's reforms
  • Date: 9th July 2015
  • Summary: EL ALTO, BOLIVIA (JULY 8, 2015) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAIN GENERAL VIEW OF PLANE CARRYING POPE FRANCIS ARRIVING BISHOPS WAITING FOR THE POPE GENERAL VIEW OF POPE FRANCIS DISEMBARKING FROM PLANE
  • Embargoed: 24th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA6A6867KT2QR97PKO4I2M9ADB5
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Pope Francis arrived in Bolivia on Wednesday (July 08), praising the government of leftist President Evo Morales, the country's first indigenous leader whose frosty relationship with the Catholic Church has begun to thaw under the Argentine pontiff's papacy.
    Morales has nationalised key industries such as oil and gas to finance social programmes that have slashed poverty in the Andean country.
    The pontiff's message in his homecoming tour of South America has seen a strong focus on looking after the poor. Named after St Francis of Assisi, who died in 1226 after living a life of poverty and simplicity, the Pope has been well-received by Latin American leftists.
    "The Pope identifies himself with Saint Francis of Assisi, rejecting material goods, and is with one of the fundamental tenets of Christianity's struggle for the poor as well was our process for change that works for the most needy," said Morales.
    The Bolivian President waded into political controversy as he welcomed Pope Francis to the country. Landlocked Bolivia has taken neighbouring Chile to court seeking to force it to negotiate the granting of a corridor of sovereign territory that would give Bolivia access to the sea.
    "Brother Pope Francis, you come filled with energy after coming from Ecuador's Pacific breeze. You have arrived to a land of peace that seeks justice. Welcome to a part of a great country, whose right to access to the sea has been mutilated by invasion," he added.
    Francis arrived from Ecuador at La Paz's El Alto airport, at over 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) above sea level, the highest international airport in the world.
    Oxygen tanks are always at the ready for passengers to deal with altitude sickness brought on by the thin air.
    Morales, an Aymara native and former coca grower, came to power in 2006 promising to govern in favour of the poor indigenous majority, marginalised by the ruling elite. He has set up social programmes off the back of the country's rich mineral wealth.
    Bolivia's economy has tripled in size during the nine years under Morales, a prominent member of South America's leftist bloc, and the number of Bolivians living in extreme poverty has fallen to one in five from more than a third of the population of 10 million in 2006.
    It remains, however, one of the poorest countries in the Americas. Francis urged Morales to be sure to blend economic growth with social justice.
    "If growth is only material, then there is always the risk of generating injustice in that the abundance of some is built on the backs of others. So in addition to the institutional transparency, social cohesion requires an effort in the education of the citizenry," said Pope Francis.
    The pope, who has made defence of the poor and the planet major planks of his papacy, also praised the fact that the Bolivian constitution "recognises the rights of individuals, minorities and the natural environment."
    Speaking to an adoring crowd, the pontiff used the native Aymara word of "jallalla" to give blessings to worshippers.
    "I place this visit under the protection of the blessed Virgin of Copacabana, the Queen of Bolivia, and I ask her to protect all her children. Thank you very much and may God bless you. Jallalla (indigenous Aymara word meaning "blessings from the Earth and above" Bolivia," said Francis.
    Largely indigenous, Bolivia is home to rich cultural and ethnic diversity, where animal sacrifices and pagan worship remain widely cherished.
    Worshipper, Elena Choque, told Reuters she hopes there will be a renewal of faith in Bolivia following the pontiff's visit.
    "The arrival of the Pope in our country has set off in me an immense sensation of thanks for visiting this country which needs to renew its faith," she said.
    The Pope will say a Mass in Santa Cruz in eastern Bolivia on Thursday (July 9) and the next day is scheduled to visit the notoriously violent Palmasola prison.
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