Pope Francis called on Sunday for an end to violence in Peru, where nearly 50 people have been killed during anti-government protests in the past few weeks.
“No to violence, wherever it originates. No more death,” Argentina’s pope said in Spanish in his weekly address to thousands in St. Peter’s Square.
Protests have intensified in Peru since President Pedro Castillo was ousted in December after attempting to dissolve the legislature to prevent an impeachment vote.
“Violence kills any hope of just solutions to problems,” Francis said.
Dozens were injured as tensions flared up again on Friday as police clashed with protesters, with security forces in the capital Lima using tear gas to disperse protesters who were throwing glass bottles and stones as streets filled the streets. But the fire was burning.