Pope Francis to Promote Social Justice in Latin America Tour

On a three-nation, eight-day tour of his native Latin America, Pope Francis is expected to highlight the plight of the regions poor, Vatican officials confirmed.

In an interview Friday with the Vatican Television Centre (CTV), Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State confirmed that the Pope will advocate for “social justice; a peace that respects of the rights of all; a society that is more inclusive of the poor; and a fight against extreme forms of poverty.”

Since he was elected pope in March 2013, Francis has become an outspoken advocate for the poor and on social and environment issues.

Pope Francis will kick off his South American tour Sunday in Ecuador, where the government has launched what it is calling a “national dialogue” around inequality and wealth distribution. Privileged sectors have been calling protests – some of which have turned violent –since the government proposed an increase on inheritance and capital gains taxes.

Related: Pope In South America

The Catholic Church has about 1.2 billion followers globally, and Latin America represents the biggest portion of the Church’s population.

According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, Pope Francis enjoys broad support across much of the world, with 66 percent of those surveyed across 43 nations having a favorable view of the pontiff.

Latin America — the pope’s home region — also gives him high marks, with 72 percent saying they have a positive opinion.

Related: Social Movements Seek Ally in Southern Hemisphere's First Pope