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Quito. — Pope Francis headed to Quito yesterday to begin his first South American trip in two years, for an eight-day tour of Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay highlighting the plight of the poor on his home continent.

The 78-year-old pontiff from Argentina, the first pope from his “beloved South America,” left Rome early yesterday and was due to land in Ecuador’s capital Quito last night.

Francis’ last visit to South America was a triumphant trip to Brazil in 2013 that culminated with some three million people gathering in Rio de Janeiro along Copacabana beach for a mass at the end of a Catholic youth festival. The Catholic Church has about 1.2 billion followers globally, and Latin America represents the biggest portion of that population. But the region has seen declining numbers as more people turn to Protestant churches.

“I want to bear witness to the joy of the Gospel and bring God’s tenderness and care,” the pope said before leaving for South America.

“Especially children in need, the elderly, the sick, the imprisoned, the poor, those who are victims of this throwaway culture.” Francis, who is the first Jesuit pope, will give a Holy Mass to be broadcast in eight languages today. — AFP.