LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) β Arriving in Bolivia on the second leg of his South American tour, Pope Francis has insisted that the Catholic Church continue to play an important role in society amid efforts by the government of President Evo Morales to curb its influence.
At an airport welcome ceremony with Morales by his side, Francis praised Bolivia for taking “important steps” to include the poor and marginalized in the political and economic life of the country, South America’s poorest.
Under Morales’ leadership Bolivia’s economy has grown thanks to booming prices for its natural gas. But Morales has roiled the local church by taking a series of anti-clerical initiatives, including the new constitution that made the overwhelmingly Catholic nation a secular country.
In his speech, Francis said the Catholic faith took “deep root” in Bolivia centuries ago “and has continued to shed its light upon society.”
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249-r-13-(Pope Francis, thanking people at his arrival ceremony in Bolivia)–Sound of Pope Francis thanking people at his arrival ceremony in Bolivia. (8 Jul 2015)
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