After praying the Angelus, Pope Francis expressed his concern over the situation in Ecuador, where weeks of protests by Indigenous groups have resulted in six civilian deaths.
POPE FRANCIS
I am close to that people and encourage all parties to abandon violence and extreme positions. Let us learn that only through dialogue can social peace be found, soon I hope, with special attention to the marginalized and poorest people, and while always respecting the rights of all and the country's institutions.
The Pope also lamented the recent murder in Haiti of an Italian missionary. Her name was Sister Luisa Dell'Orto, and she belonged to the Little Sisters of the Gospel, a congregation inspired by Charles de Foucauld. Sister Luisa had been in the country since 2002.
POPE FRANCIS
For 20 years Sister Luisa lived there, especially dedicated to the service of street children. I commend her soul to God and pray for the Haitian people, especially the young ones. I pray that they may have a more peaceful future without misery and violence. Sister Luisa made her life a gift for others to the point of martyrdom.
Sister Luisa had also been a missionary in other countries such as Cameroon and Madagascar.
JRB
TRANS: OG
