The Pope spoke about the beauty of the Araucania, thanking God for allowing him to visit it and its people.

“This landscape lifts us up to God, and it is easy to see his hand in every creature. Many generations of men and women have loved this land with fervent gratitude,” he said.

Pope Francis paused to greet “in a special way the members of the Mapuche people, as well as the other indigenous peoples who dwell in these southern lands: the Rapanui (from Easter Island), the Aymara, the Quechua and the Atacameños, and many others.”

He said they were celebrating the Eucharist in an atmosphere of thanksgiving but also of “sorrow and pain”.

“We do so in this Maqueue aerodrome, which was the site of grave violations of human rights. We offer this Mass for all those who suffered and died, and for those who daily bear the burden of those many injustices. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross bears all the sin and pain of our peoples, in order to redeem it.”

Pope Francis went on to warn against the two temptations of “confusing unity with uniformity” and of enforcing unity through violence.

He said, “Jesus does not ask his Father that all may be equal or identical, for unity is not meant to neutralise or silence differences.”

Unity, he said, “is not an idol or the result of forced integration; it is not a harmony bought at the price of leaving some people on the fringes.”

The Pontiff said the unity offered and sought by Jesus is inclusive of all cultures and recognises their unique contributions “to this land of blessings”.

“Unity is a reconciled diversity, for it will not allow personal or community wrongs to be perpetrated in its name,” he said.

FULL STORY

Pope at Mass in Temuco: ‘Be artisans of God’s unity’ (Vatican News)

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