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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 Francis | Related: 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. | |
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”. | |
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 Guaraní, the language of the country’s indigenous people, spoken by 80% of the population. | |
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 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. |
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