QUITO, (Reuters) – Laughing as his cap flew off in the Andean highland wind, Pope Francis flew into Ecuador yesterday to start a “homecoming” tour of South America, where he will champion the rights of the poor and the planet.
His visit to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay – three of the region’s poorest and smallest countries – is Francis’ first abroad since his landmark encyclical urging an end to man’s degradation of the global environment.
“I thank God for having allowed me to return to Latin America and to be here with you today in this beautiful land of Ecuador,” the Argentine-born pontiff said in a speech on the runway after his 13-hour flight from Rome.
When he emerged from the plane, a breeze whipped off his white zucchetto cap and swirled his robes, but the affable 78-year-old took it in his stride, smiling and laughing as he walked down steps to an embrace from President Rafael Correa.
He was then greeted by a group of people dressed in indigenous clothing, including a white blouse with sharp red and orange colors and a large red skirt. One, 16-year-old Elizabeth Maldonado, said afterward that she had never dreamed she would hug the pope.
“It was something so beautiful, marvellous, a positive energy, a huge blessing for us,” she said.
Tens of thousands lined the streets as Francis’ motorcade drove into Quito, some pushing through a police line
Well-wishers threw gifts at the popemobile, including two live white dove