Pope laments poverty-stricken Inca communities as locals leave Peru

The pontiff, who recently recovered from cancer surgery, will journey across Peru on Sunday, marking the second-to-last day of his Latin American visit. His focus remains on the plight of indigenous communities facing economic hardship.

During his tour, Pope Leo XIV has drawn attention to the exodus of locals from traditional Inca settlements, where limited economic opportunities force residents to relocate in search of better living conditions and employment prospects.

The Pope's visit comes as Peru continues to grapple with development challenges in its rural Andean regions, where indigenous populations have historically faced marginalization and limited access to basic services and infrastructure.