The Pope begins his South American trip

Pope Francis begins this Monday his visit to Chile and Peru where he’ll meet indigenous representatives of both countries. The Pope’s aim is to learn about this communities’ needs and to pave the way to the Panamazonic Region Synod of Bishops.

In Chile, Pope Francis will visit three cities. First of all, Santiago, where he’ll meet with the Chilean Government, Bishops and will a women’s prison. Then he’ll go to Temuco, where he’ll have an encounter with mapuche community leaders. His last stop in Chile will be in Iquique, a northern seashore city involved in a territorial conflict with Bolivia.

On Thursday, the pontiff will arrive to Lima, first stage of his Peruvian trip. He will then travel to Puerto Madero and later to Trujillo, where he’ll gather with some of the victims of this years’ El Niño. A hundred people died and 141,000 were forced to abandon their houses.

Back to Lima, Pope Francis will hold a prayer to Saint Martin de Porres, one of his favorite saints. That will put an end to his South American journey.