QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Pope Francis on Saturday sided with a group of Peruvian villagers who have complained that companies linked to a powerful South American church group have tried to evict them from their land using lawsuits and obscure land titling schemes.
In a video recorded at his residence in the Vatican, the Pope sent a message of support to members of the San Juan Bautista de Catacaos farmers community in northern Peru, who have been fending off lawsuits from companies associated with the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae since 2014.
“I know what happened to you,” the Pope said in Spanish. “Defend your land and don’t let them steal it.”
The Sodalitium is a lay group that runs schools and spiritual retirement centers in several South American countries, but is also involved in real estate, agriculture and construction companies.
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
Michael Sheen comically reveals how he broke his toe at a gym in LA
OJ Simpson dead at 76 after cancer battle: Football legend turned accused double
Bernie Sanders wants to spend $10BILLION on long Covid 'moonshot' operation
Jon Wysocki dead at 53: Staind drummer passes away
DAN WOOTTON: Has Meghan swerved the Coronation because she can't stand the thought of being booed?
Bernie Sanders wants to spend $10BILLION on long Covid 'moonshot' operation
Person in serious condition after incident in Feilding
Inquiry slams UK authorities for failures that killed thousands in infected blood scandal
King Charles 'asked Katy Perry for selfie' for a private secretary
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
DAN WOOTTON: Has Meghan swerved the Coronation because she can't stand the thought of being booed?