Pope Seeks Unity in Latin America Plagued by Political Strife

Pope Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Catholic Church, called for unity and greater respect for diversity Tuesday during a mass in Quito, where thousands camped overnight in the rain to hear the pontiff speak.

The spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Catholics invoked Latin America’s 19th Century wars of independence to encourage followers to use the Christian gospel to challenge the “passing whims of the powers that be” and become more involved in the world.