Pope denounces exploitation of Mexico's indigenous people
Pope denounces exploitation of Mexico's indigenous people
Feb 15, 4:09 PM EST
By NICOLE WINFIELD and SONIA PEREZ D.
Associated Press
SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (AP) -- Pope Francis denounced the centuries-old exploitation and social exclusion of Mexico's Indians on Monday, saying the world should instead ask their forgiveness and learn from their culture and appreciation of nature.
Francis celebrated the Indians during a visit to the southern state of Chiapas, a center of indigenous culture. He presided over a Mass in three native languages in a service that also featured a traditional dance of prayer and a celebration of married deacons in Chiapas, whose role has been revived under his papacy.
In his homily, history's first Latin American pope melded two of his core concerns: appreciation for indigenous cultures and the need to care for the environment.
"We can no longer remain silent before one of the greatest environmental crises in world history," he told the crowd of several thousand indigenous people, some in traditional dress, who gathered under clear blue skies at a sports complex in the mountain city of San Cristobal de las Casas.
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