Small crowds greet pope on first visit to Chile

Locals wave at Pope Francis as he rides the pope mobile on his way to the Apostolic Nunciature in Santiago, Chile, Monday, Jan., 15, 2018. AP

SANTIAGO, Chile — Thousands of people have lined avenues in Chile’s capital to get a glimpse of Pope Francis as he passes by in his popemobile.

But compared to papal visits to other Latin American countries, the crowds are very thin, in many areas a single line of people.

Francis’ first visit to Chile as the head of the Roman Catholic Church comes at a time when many Chileans are skeptical of the church and even angry over one of the pope’s decisions. In 2015, Francis appointed a bishop who had been close to the Rev. Fernando Karadima, who abused dozens of minors over decades.

Some people cheered “Long live the pope!” when he passed by.

Others carried signs criticizing the pope or extolling him to act. “Stop the abuse, Francis!” read one sign. “You can so you must!”

Francis’ arrival Monday night marks his first visit to Chile since becoming pope in 2013.

After deplaning, he’ll meet with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

Over the next three days, Francis is scheduled to celebrate Mass in Santiago, the southern city of Temuco and the northern city of Iquique. On Thursday, the pope will go to Peru.

Francis’ trip is aimed at highlighting the plight of immigrants and underscoring the need to preserve the Amazon rain forest. However, sexual abuse by priests has taken front and center. /cbb