Pope says Inca heartland ‘suffering’ as villages empty

Pope Leo XIV visited the remote Cajamarca region in Peru to address the suffering of ancient Inca heartland communities. The 71-year-old pontiff, who recently underwent cancer surgery, flew by helicopter to the isolated town of Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, situated among Andean peaks over 6,000 feet high. Despite his frailty, the Pope expressed joy at returning to the region where the Inca Empire once thrived and where a significant portion of the population now lives in poverty.

During an open-air Mass, the Pope praised the resilience of the communities, praising their entrepreneurial spirit in providing jobs for the people. However, he also acknowledged the challenges facing the region, citing a 40% poverty rate and declining birth rates leading to shrinking villages. Over 729,000 people born in the Cajamarca region have migrated to coastal cities like Lima and Trujillo in search of better opportunities.

Pope Leo XIV, who celebrated Mass in Incahuasi, a town in the heart of the Inca Empire, praised the ingenuity of the locals in providing dignified jobs. However, the Pope's planned visit to Incahuasi was cut short due to logistical difficulties. The Pope will continue his tour of South America, heading to Cuzco and Pucallpa, where he will meet with Indigenous groups.