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Pope starts Latin American visit in Ecuador Pope Francis starts Latin American visit in Ecuador
(about 1 hour later)
Pope Francis is due to arrive in Ecuador at the start of a seven-day tour of South America. Pope Francis is travelling to Ecuador for the start of a seven-day tour of South America, his second visit to the region since becoming pontiff in 2013.
Ecuador's left-wing President Rafael Correa called the visit "an honour". His trip will focus on the issue of poverty, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis will also travel to Bolivia and Paraguay, as part of his second trip to the region since becoming pontiff in 2013. The pontiff will also travel to Bolivia and Paraguay, but not his home country of Argentina.
The Argentine is the first Pope to come from South America. He is expected to highlight the themes of poverty and inequality. The Vatican said the decision not to visit the continent's larger nations reflected the Pope's interest in the "peripheries".
Pope Francis is the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church to come from South America.
In 2007, before becoming Pope, he told a gathering of Latin American bishops that they were living in the most unequal part of the world.In 2007, before becoming Pope, he told a gathering of Latin American bishops that they were living in the most unequal part of the world.
During his previous trip in 2013, he addressed millions on Brazil's Copacabana Beach. During his previous visit to Latin America in 2013, he addressed millions on Brazil's Copacabana Beach as part of a Catholic youth festival.
Ecuador's left-wing President Rafael Correa called the visit "an honour".
The Pope has requested to chew coca leaves while in Bolivia, according to Bolivian Culture Minister Marko Machicao.The Pope has requested to chew coca leaves while in Bolivia, according to Bolivian Culture Minister Marko Machicao.
Coca, the raw ingredient for cocaine, has been used in the Andes for thousands of years to combat altitude sickness and as a mild stimulant.Coca, the raw ingredient for cocaine, has been used in the Andes for thousands of years to combat altitude sickness and as a mild stimulant.
In September the Pope will travel to Cuba ahead of a trip to the US.In September the Pope will travel to Cuba ahead of a trip to the US.
The pontiff is credited with helping bring about last December's diplomatic thaw between the two countries.The pontiff is credited with helping bring about last December's diplomatic thaw between the two countries.