Pope denounces 'throwaway' culture at Bolivia mass
July 9, 2015
On the fifth day of his "homecoming" tour, the pontiff addressed hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Santa Cruz's Christ the Redeemer square, many of whom spent the night in unseasonably cold weather in order to secure a good spot.
He implored people to reject a "mentality in which everything has a price, everything can be bought, everything is negotiable," saying it devalues the meaning of things, even human lives. He urged the faithful not to slip into an attitude of resigned acceptance over the challenges facing the modern world, because "it disorients us, it closes our heart to others, especially the poor."
"Jesus speaks these words to us, here in this square. No one has to be discarded," he said.
The government had declared a national holiday to allow people to attend the service, which featured a wooden altar carved by the country's indigenous Chiquitano people. The altar was built in the style of the Jesuit missions of the 17th and 18th centuries. The 78-year-old pontiff, who has long been a champion of the poor and downtrodden, used a local Burger King restaurant to change into vestments before the Mass.
Earlier in the day Francis had visited the western city of La Paz, walking among crowds and even taking selfies. But, due to the city's high altitude, it was a flying visit, though the pontiff seemed unaffected by the climate. He was met by Bolivian President Evo Morales upon his arrival on Wednesday night, and congratulated him on his nation's social reform efforts.
After Thursday's Mass Francis was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at a world summit of "popular movements," a gathering of non-government affiliated organizations which represent farmers, fishermen, street-sellers and "cartoneros" who search through rubbish looking for anything that can be salvaged and recycled. The pope is expected to further push his mandate of the need for changing the world order to alleviate poverty, injustice and protect the environment.
Before leaving for Paraguay on Friday, Francis was scheduled to visit a prison, home to more than 100 children living illegally with their parents.
an/rc (AFP, Reuters)