Pope Leo calls for Indigenous rights as he ends Peru leg of Latin America tour

Pope Leo XIV concluded the penultimate day of his 12‑day Latin America tour with visits to the Andean city of Cusco and the Amazon gateway of Pucallpa, urging the preservation of Indigenous customs and denouncing attacks on Indigenous land defenders, Al Jazeera reported.

What did Pope Leo say about Indigenous traditions in Peru?

He said the future of Indigenous traditions depends on both safeguarding heritage and keeping it alive for future generations, adding, “The future of these traditions lies not only in preserving what has been handed down, but also in passing it on in a living way,” Al Jazeera quoted.

Where did the pope travel on the final day of his tour?

On Sunday, the pontiff spent the morning delivering a speech at the Saqsaywaman fortress in Cusco, then flew in the afternoon to Pucallpa on the banks of the Ucayali River, according to Al Jazeera.

How did the pope address environmental and Indigenous issues in the Amazon?

In Pucallpa, he reinforced Pope Francis’s environmental teachings and condemned the murder of Indigenous leaders, stating, “Many Indigenous leaders have been murdered for defending their territories… The blood of these brothers cries out to God and demands justice,” Al Jazeera noted. He highlighted threats from illegal mining, deforestation and water contamination that risk heavy‑metal poisoning.

The 71‑year‑old pope, born in the United States and a Peruvian citizen since 2015, showed no sign of fatigue despite recovering from lung‑cancer surgery, Al Jazeera added.