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Pope urges dialogue, participation in Ecuador
Quito, July 6
Pope Francis arrived in
Ecuador, the first leg of his three-nation South American tour, and
urged Ecuadorians to foster dialogue and participation without exclusion
in a speech at the Quito airport.
After citing several of the
country's saints, Francis on Sunday urged Ecuador "to confront the
current challenges, valuing differences, fostering dialogue and
participation without exclusion so that the achievements in progress and
development that are being (made) may guarantee a better future for
all."
He assured Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa that he could
count on the "commitment and cooperation of the (Catholic) Church" in
that task.
Francis was welcomed when he disembarked from the papal jet by Correa and by children dressed in traditional costumes.
The
pontiff said he was happy and grateful at the warm welcome accorded him
at the first stop on his three-country tour, which will also take him
to Bolivia and Paraguay.
"Your country is a paradise," Francis added, referring to remarks Correa made beforehand in his welcoming speech.