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Pope laments 'gangrene' of corruption plaguing 'all peoples of the world' Pope laments 'gangrene' of corruption plaguing 'all peoples of the world'
(35 minutes later)
Pope Francis decried the scourge of corruption as the “gangrene of a people” in a speech in Paraguay, one of the poorest countries in South America and where graft is rampant.Pope Francis decried the scourge of corruption as the “gangrene of a people” in a speech in Paraguay, one of the poorest countries in South America and where graft is rampant.
On the last stop of a three-nation tour of South America, the 78-year-old pope also railed against ideologies and hammered home the central theme of his trip to his home continent: equality.On the last stop of a three-nation tour of South America, the 78-year-old pope also railed against ideologies and hammered home the central theme of his trip to his home continent: equality.
Related: Unbridled capitalism is the 'dung of the devil', says Pope FrancisRelated: Unbridled capitalism is the 'dung of the devil', says Pope Francis
Speaking to an enchanted crowd of 5,000 at a small stadium in the capital Asuncion, Francis drifted away from his scripted remarks, saying that “ideologies end badly, they do not work, they do not take into account the people”.Speaking to an enchanted crowd of 5,000 at a small stadium in the capital Asuncion, Francis drifted away from his scripted remarks, saying that “ideologies end badly, they do not work, they do not take into account the people”.
“Look what happened with ideologies in the last century... they ended in dictatorships, always,” he added, applause ringing out in response. “Look what happened with ideologies in the last century ... they ended in dictatorships, always,” he added, applause ringing out in response.
In a question-and-answer session, he denounced corruption, which plagues several countries in South America.In a question-and-answer session, he denounced corruption, which plagues several countries in South America.
But perhaps to avoid offending his hosts, he stressed that it was a recurring problem “among all peoples of the world”.But perhaps to avoid offending his hosts, he stressed that it was a recurring problem “among all peoples of the world”.
As he had done on previous stops during his trip, first in Ecuador, and then Bolivia, Francis called for an end to poverty – also endemic in the region – and lamented today’s consumer society.As he had done on previous stops during his trip, first in Ecuador, and then Bolivia, Francis called for an end to poverty – also endemic in the region – and lamented today’s consumer society.
Wealth creation should not be “only for the benefit of a few,” he said to more acclaim, and must be extended to “each citizen, without exclusion.” Wealth creation should not be “only for the benefit of a few”, he said to more acclaim, and must be extended to “each citizen, without exclusion”.
He urged political leaders not to “sacrifice human lives on the altar of money and profit”.He urged political leaders not to “sacrifice human lives on the altar of money and profit”.
“In economics, in business and in politics, what counts first and foremost is the human person and the environment in which he or she lives,” he said.“In economics, in business and in politics, what counts first and foremost is the human person and the environment in which he or she lives,” he said.
Earlier in the day, before hundreds of thousands of worshipers at the country’s main pilgrimage site, the first pontiff from Latin America praised the sacrifices of Paraguay’s “glorious” women during a history marked by war.Earlier in the day, before hundreds of thousands of worshipers at the country’s main pilgrimage site, the first pontiff from Latin America praised the sacrifices of Paraguay’s “glorious” women during a history marked by war.
Paraguay was left reeling during the so-called War of the Triple Alliance against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay fought from 1865 to 1870, with a large majority of its male population killed.Paraguay was left reeling during the so-called War of the Triple Alliance against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay fought from 1865 to 1870, with a large majority of its male population killed.
Francis was speaking on the esplanade of the domed shrine of the Virgin of Caacupe, not far from the border with his native Argentina.Francis was speaking on the esplanade of the domed shrine of the Virgin of Caacupe, not far from the border with his native Argentina.
“I would like especially to mention you, the women, wives and mothers of Paraguay, who at great cost and sacrifice were able to lift up a country defeated, devastated and laid low by war,” Francis said.“I would like especially to mention you, the women, wives and mothers of Paraguay, who at great cost and sacrifice were able to lift up a country defeated, devastated and laid low by war,” Francis said.
“You are keepers of the memory, the lifeblood of those who rebuilt the life, faith and dignity of your people.“You are keepers of the memory, the lifeblood of those who rebuilt the life, faith and dignity of your people.
“God bless your perseverance. God bless and encourage your faith. God bless the women of Paraguay, the most glorious women of America.”“God bless your perseverance. God bless and encourage your faith. God bless the women of Paraguay, the most glorious women of America.”
The huge crowd was delighted to hear the pope deliver the Lord’s Prayer in Guarani, the language of the country’s indigenous people, spoken by 80 percent of the population. The huge crowd was delighted to hear the pope deliver the Lord’s Prayer in Guaraní, the language of the country’s indigenous people, spoken by 80% of the population.
Caacupe, about 55 kilometers (35 miles) east of Asuncion, has become a place of international pilgrimage thanks to a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that has been credited with various miracles. Caacupe, about 55km (35 miles) east of Asuncion, has become a place of international pilgrimage thanks to a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that has been credited with various miracles.
The vast crowds played guitar, shook maracas and sipped gourds of mate – the herbal drink beloved by many in the region.The vast crowds played guitar, shook maracas and sipped gourds of mate – the herbal drink beloved by many in the region.
Francis heads back to the Vatican on Sunday after an open-air mass in Asuncion, which will be attended by Argentine president Cristina Kirchner. Francis heads back to the Vatican on Sunday after an open-air mass in Asuncion, which will be attended by Argentinian president Cristina Kirchner.
He will return to Latin America in September, when he travels to Cuba before heading to the United States.He will return to Latin America in September, when he travels to Cuba before heading to the United States.