Pope Benedict Cites Injustices in Latin America

Pope Benedict Cites Injustices in Latin America

Facing criticism from many Latin American leaders, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Pope Benedict stated that the Church had committed “various injustices” during its colonization of Latin America in the 15th century. Millions of native Latin Americans were slaughtered as a result of European intervention. The Pope, however, said that the Church did not impose itself during its conquest, stating that indigenous Americans were “silently longing” for Christianity.