Police: 1.2M turn out for Pope's last Peru Mass

22/1/2018 6:31

        Police say more than 1 million people are gathered at an airbase for Pope Francis' final Mass in Peru as he concludes a restive trip to Latin America. Juan Rivera is a 31-year-old computer engineer in attendance. He says he is hoping to hear "words of encouragement" that can help Peruvians reconcile their differences. Many in the country are upset over the recent pardon of former strongman Alberto Fujimori, who had been sentenced to 25 years for his role in the killings of 25 people by security forces while he was president. The nation has also been jolted by a region-wide political corruption scandal involving the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. Several women cried as Francis left the Apostolic Nunciature and blessed their rosaries. At the airbase on Lima's southern outskirts, firefighters streamed water at the crowds under a hot sun and fluttering Vatican and Peruvian flags. Police spokesman Veronica Marquez said 1.2 million people showed up. The pontiff is sched
        uled to return to Rome later Sunday.