Live
Audio Only
Pope Francis has parted for Bolivia and Paraguay, following three days of masses and visits with some of the most vulnerable members of Ecuadorean society.
The visit of Pope Francis brought important messages of peaceful debate and social equality to the country, at a time when tensions are high following a month of right-wing protests over wealth redistribution bills proposed by the executive branch, which at times ended in violence.
“We are going to continue his thoughts, with speed, we are going to sit down for dialogue, but this does not mean we are going to try to please everyone,” President of Ecuador Rafael Correa told teleSUR English, following the ceremony which concluded Pope Francis' visit.
“It means that we are going to process conflicts in an adequate way. But careful, sometimes my words are taken out of context, they think that this is a bourgeois democracy and that we have to please everyone and accomplish nothing. We need to confront each other, but confront each other with ideas, not in the streets with rocks, breaking the legs of police officers,” the president said.
RELATED: Pope Francis in South America: Minute by Minute Update
Peaceful dialogue was a major theme in the masses given by Pope Francis. The government of Ecuador called for a national dialogue on equality and social justice when the capital gains bill and inheritance tax were temporarily suspended from the National Assembly.
However, the opposition has refused to participate in the proposed dialogue, saying they would continue to street demonstrations following the departure of Pope Francis.
“The protests are honestly really horrible, very difficult for all Ecuadoreans, but dialogue is always good. We always have to engage in dialogue,” Sister Maria Paulina de Jesus of the San Jose Monastery in Quito said.
Yeseña Mitena Zamora was a volunteer at Quito's Bicentenario Park mass, and said she listened attentively to Pope Francis's sermon. She added that his messages of redistribution and social equality rang true to the current political climate in Ecuador.
“President Correa is working for the whole country, for us as citizens, so that everyone can have economic equality.President Correa is (implementing the Pope’s message) by redistributing the wealth of all Ecuadoreans,” said Zamora to teleSUR English.
Thirty years have passed since the last papal visit to Ecuador, when John Paul II came in 1985, and excitement could be felt across the country. With the visit of Pope Francis, Ecuador witnessed days filled with faith and reflection, as well as messages of peace, unity, and dialogue.
Newsletter
