POPE-LATAM/ECUADOR-TRANSIT Pope Francis bids Ecuadorean capital farewell as he heads to the country's second city of Guayaquil

Record ID: 148289

  • Title: POPE-LATAM/ECUADOR-TRANSIT Pope Francis bids Ecuadorean capital farewell as he heads to the country's second city of Guayaquil
  • Date: 6th July 2015
  • Summary: MILITARY PERSONNEL GUARDING THE AREA COMMEMORATIVE DOLLS OF POPE FRANCIS PEOPLE TAKING PHOTOS AS THEY WAIT FOR THE POPE TO COME OUT POPE FRANCIS WALKING OUTSIDE AND GREETING THE CROWD A MAN IN A TREE TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS
  • Embargoed: 21st July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ecuador
  • Country: Ecuador
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8ZHA9RQ5SXI15A0HF916W2R59
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Pope Francis headed south on Monday (July 6), the first full day of his three-nation visit to South America, travelling from the Ecuadorean capital to the nation's second city, Guayaquil, where he will hold his first mass on what has been deemed the "homecoming" tour.
    Young people with guitars and drums serenaded the pope as he left the Papal Nunciature's residence in Quito. Hundreds applauded as he smiled and blessed well-wishers.
    The faithful had camped out since the early hours of the morning to secure their spot, whilst others sold commemorative souvenirs.
    "It was very emotional seeing the Pope come to visit Ecuador. Let's see if now we find some peace in our hearts. We Christians should all be very happy for this visit," said Ecuadorean Sandra Montalvo.
    Thousands lined the streets as the papal motorcade drove past them, en route to the airport outside the city.
    Pope Francis is scheduled to say his first mass on the tour later on Monday in Guayaquil.
    Over recent weeks, Guayaquil has been the epicentre of protests against leftist President Rafael Correa. Activists have been demonstrating against tax changes and alleged state authoritarianism but Correa says the reforms will only affect the super-wealthy and accuses his foes of seeking a coup d'etat.
    Protest leaders have called a moratorium during the pope's visit, and Francis used his arrival speech on Sunday (July 5) to call for dialogue and respect for differences.
    After Ecuador, the pope heads to Bolivia and Paraguay on a tour encompassing three of the region's poorest and smallest countries.
    The pope visited Brazil for a youth festival in 2013 but that was to substitute for predecessor Benedict after his sudden resignation. So because he chose the three nations himself, aides call this the real "homecoming" to his native continent.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register