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Story Publication logo October 1, 2015

Pushback in Peru: Pope Francis Has Critics Among the Rich and Poor

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Image by Justin Catanoso. Italy, 2015.
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Latin America's first pope derides our "throw-away" culture while offering a stern prescription for...

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Whether in the United States, Europe, Asia or South America, Pope Francis is staking his papacy on his defense of the poor. He often argues that their oppression in Third World countries goes hand in hand with environmental destruction. His papal encyclical on climate change emphasizes such dynamics.

Most of Latin America is Catholic, and the pope's' approval ratings soar above 80 percent. Still, many of the poor depend on harsh industries—mining, drilling, and fishing—for their subsistence lifestyles.

The Pope's encyclical is already a tough sell in the U.S., where the coal industry in West Virginia and Kentucky will likely ignore it. But what about in Pope Francis's home region? Reporter Justin Catanoso reports from Latin America's fastest growing economy—Peru.

Audio produced by Jeff Polish and written by Susan Davis, both of Chapel Hill, N.C.

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