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Pope praises ‘glorious’ Paraguay women at outdoor mass
(Updated 6:05 a.m.) CAACUPÉ, Paraguay - Pope Francis on Saturday praised the sacrifices of Paraguay's "glorious" women during a history marked by war before hundreds of thousands of worshippers at the country's main pilgrimage site.
The 78-year-old pope -- in Paraguay on the last stop of a three-nation tour of South America -- was speaking on the esplanade of the domed shrine of the Virgin of Caacupe, not far from the border with his native Argentina.
Paraguay was left reeling during the so-called War of the Triple Alliance against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay fought from 1865 to 1870, with a large majority of its male population killed.
"I would like especially to mention you, the women, wives and mothers of Paraguay, who at great cost and sacrifice were able to lift up a country defeated, devastated and laid low by war," Francis, the first Latin American pope, said.
"You are keepers of the memory, the lifeblood of those who rebuilt the life, faith and dignity of your people.
"God bless your perseverance. God bless and encourage your faith. God bless the women of Paraguay, the most glorious women of America."
The huge crowd was delighted to hear the pope deliver the Lord's Prayer in Guarani, the language of the country's indigenous people, spoken by 80 percent of the population.
Caacupe, about 55 kilometers (35 miles) east of the capital Asuncion, has become a place of international pilgrimage thanks to a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that has been credited with various miracles.
The vast crowds played guitar, shook maracas and sipped gourds of mate -- the herbal drink beloved by many in the region.
Francis was apparently so moved by their singing that he was late to emerge from the basilica to say mass, but Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi later dismissed any notion that the pope was unwell.
"As you can see for yourselves, the pontiff is fine, everything is ok," Lombardi said.
In fact, the pope has displayed impressive energy at all his public events in South America, despite a busy schedule.
Thousands of Argentines traveled across the border by bus -- some on journeys lasting 50 hours -- to welcome the pope in a homecoming of sorts.
"The pope has inexplicable powers of attraction, almost like a lover," said Graciela Sosa, adding she had barely slept all night so she could get a prime viewing spot.
Francis has not returned to Argentina since his March 2013 election as pope, but could travel there on an official visit in 2016.
"Being here with you makes me feel at home, at the feet of our Mother, the Virgin of Miracles of Caacupe," he said.
‘Learn from the children’
Earlier in the day Francis visited a children's hospital in Asuncion.
"We need to learn from your trust, your joy, and your tenderness. We need to learn from your ability to fight, from your strength, from your remarkable endurance," he told the kids.
Later, he made a quick surprise visit to a clinic for the terminally ill.
After visiting Ecuador and Bolivia, Francis arrived Friday in Paraguay, where 90 percent of the population is Catholic, to begin the final leg of his eight-day tour.
The pope's trip has burnished his reputation as a powerful voice for the downtrodden, and he has repeatedly called on leaders to address inequality.
His Paraguay visit marks the second papal visit to Asuncion after John Paul II in 1988.
Paraguay is home to the main base of South America's Jesuit mission, and Francis is the first Jesuit pope.
Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay are predominantly Catholic and have been marked by a long history of poverty and inequality, especially afflicting indigenous populations.
Before heading to Paraguay, Francis ventured into a violent, overcrowded and gang-ridden Bolivian prison that houses children living with their parents. He hugged and kissed inmates and urged them not to yield to the "devil."
Francis begins his trip back to the Vatican on Sunday.
He will return to Latin America in September, when he travels to Cuba before heading to the United States. — Agence France-Presse
The 78-year-old pope -- in Paraguay on the last stop of a three-nation tour of South America -- was speaking on the esplanade of the domed shrine of the Virgin of Caacupe, not far from the border with his native Argentina.
Paraguay was left reeling during the so-called War of the Triple Alliance against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay fought from 1865 to 1870, with a large majority of its male population killed.
"I would like especially to mention you, the women, wives and mothers of Paraguay, who at great cost and sacrifice were able to lift up a country defeated, devastated and laid low by war," Francis, the first Latin American pope, said.
"You are keepers of the memory, the lifeblood of those who rebuilt the life, faith and dignity of your people.
"God bless your perseverance. God bless and encourage your faith. God bless the women of Paraguay, the most glorious women of America."
The huge crowd was delighted to hear the pope deliver the Lord's Prayer in Guarani, the language of the country's indigenous people, spoken by 80 percent of the population.
Caacupe, about 55 kilometers (35 miles) east of the capital Asuncion, has become a place of international pilgrimage thanks to a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that has been credited with various miracles.
The vast crowds played guitar, shook maracas and sipped gourds of mate -- the herbal drink beloved by many in the region.
Francis was apparently so moved by their singing that he was late to emerge from the basilica to say mass, but Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi later dismissed any notion that the pope was unwell.
"As you can see for yourselves, the pontiff is fine, everything is ok," Lombardi said.
In fact, the pope has displayed impressive energy at all his public events in South America, despite a busy schedule.
Thousands of Argentines traveled across the border by bus -- some on journeys lasting 50 hours -- to welcome the pope in a homecoming of sorts.
"The pope has inexplicable powers of attraction, almost like a lover," said Graciela Sosa, adding she had barely slept all night so she could get a prime viewing spot.
Francis has not returned to Argentina since his March 2013 election as pope, but could travel there on an official visit in 2016.
"Being here with you makes me feel at home, at the feet of our Mother, the Virgin of Miracles of Caacupe," he said.
‘Learn from the children’
Earlier in the day Francis visited a children's hospital in Asuncion.
"We need to learn from your trust, your joy, and your tenderness. We need to learn from your ability to fight, from your strength, from your remarkable endurance," he told the kids.
Later, he made a quick surprise visit to a clinic for the terminally ill.
After visiting Ecuador and Bolivia, Francis arrived Friday in Paraguay, where 90 percent of the population is Catholic, to begin the final leg of his eight-day tour.
The pope's trip has burnished his reputation as a powerful voice for the downtrodden, and he has repeatedly called on leaders to address inequality.
His Paraguay visit marks the second papal visit to Asuncion after John Paul II in 1988.
Paraguay is home to the main base of South America's Jesuit mission, and Francis is the first Jesuit pope.
Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay are predominantly Catholic and have been marked by a long history of poverty and inequality, especially afflicting indigenous populations.
Before heading to Paraguay, Francis ventured into a violent, overcrowded and gang-ridden Bolivian prison that houses children living with their parents. He hugged and kissed inmates and urged them not to yield to the "devil."
Francis begins his trip back to the Vatican on Sunday.
He will return to Latin America in September, when he travels to Cuba before heading to the United States. — Agence France-Presse
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