Indigenous Catholics in Mexico and beyond are urging the next pope to uphold Pope Francis\u2019 commitment to Native communities, Arab News reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During a recent Mass in Simojovel, Deacon Juan P\u00e9rez G\u00f3mez, who serves the Tsotsil people in Chiapas, emphasized Francis\u2019 advocacy for human rights, environmental justice, and cultural inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Francis, the first Latin American pope, sought forgiveness for the Church\u2019s colonial-era abuses and encouraged Indigenous liturgical practices, such as Mayan-language prayers and rituals. His 2016 visit to Chiapas\u2014where he celebrated a Mass incorporating Tsotsil, Tseltal, and Ch\u2019ol languages\u2014symbolized his inclusive vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marcial Fabricano, a Moje\u00f1o leader in Bolivia, recalled Francis\u2019 2015 apology for historical injustices, calling it transformative. Similarly, Colombian Indigenous activist Anitalia Pijachi praised his support for Amazonian communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deacon P\u00e9rez hopes the next pope will continue empowering Indigenous Catholics, noting Francis\u2019 revival of the deaconship program, which expanded their role in the Church. \u201cWe are no longer objects, but people,\u201d he said, echoing a sentiment shared by many Native believers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Indigenous Catholics in Mexico and beyond are urging the next pope to uphold Pope Francis\u2019 commitment to Native communities, Arab News reported. During a recent Mass in Simojovel, Deacon Juan P\u00e9rez G\u00f3mez, who serves the Tsotsil people in Chiapas, emphasized Francis\u2019 advocacy for human rights, environmental justice, and cultural inclusion. Francis, the first Latin American …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":123872,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"yes","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_108372464460192_245495985553329":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[9231],"tags":[14128,14129],"class_list":["post-123871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-religion-news","tag-indigenous-catholics","tag-legacy-of-pope-francis"],"yoast_head":"\n