Pope Leo XIV called for justice after saying Indigenous leaders in Peru had been killed for protecting their territories, while using stops in the Amazon and Andes to emphasize cultural continuity.
In Pucallpa, near Peru’s eastern border on the Ucayali River, Leo said many Indigenous leaders had been murdered over their defense of territory. “The blood of these brothers cries out to God and demands justice,” he said. Al Jazeera and The Associated Press reported the remarks from his Sunday visit.
Earlier in Cusco, the former Inca capital, Leo praised celebrations shaped by Indigenous and Catholic spirituality. He urged communities to continue the customs and teach them to younger generations. He spoke at Saqsaywaman.
Illegal mining, deforestation and other exploitation have long threatened Indigenous communities, Al Jazeera reported. The outlet said mining contributed to a water crisis in Peru, while pollution raised the risk of heavy-metal poisoning. It also reported that Leo echoed the environmental teachings of his predecessor, Pope Francis, during the Amazon visit.
The stops were among those outlined in EconoTimes’ earlier report on Leo’s Cusco and Amazon itinerary. Al Jazeera reported that Leo was expected to return to Rome on Monday.