Pope, Ending Latin Trip, Decries Violence in Chile

VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II, returning Monday from a two-week trip to Uruguay, Chile and Argentina, denounced as brutal and provocative the violence that marred one of his Masses in the Chilean capital of Santiago.

Speaking to several Chilean and Argentine reporters aboard the plane that brought him and his entourage back to Italy, John Paul replied to questions about how he felt during the violent anti-government clashes that occurred at Santiago’s sprawling O’Higgins Park on April 3.

“It (the violence) was a provocation which was very base, very primitive,” the Pope said. He added that he was not afraid but said: “One cannot remain totally indifferent when faced with an organized action, a violent action, a brutal action.”

Marxists Blamed

Many were injured in the clashes, during which police used tear gas and water cannon against youths who threw stones and started bonfires in the crowd that had come to hear the pontiff celebrate Mass. Chile’s military government blamed the episode on the Revolutionary Left Movement, a band of Marxist extremists whose violent tactics have caused problems for Chilean governments for more than two decades.

During the clash, some priests on the Pope’s altar platform covered their faces with handkerchiefs against the effects of tear gas and others walked into the crowd to try to restore calm.

In his conversation with reporters Monday, the Pope, who was able to see the violence while he continued the Mass, expressed his admiration for the hundreds of thousands of people in the crowd who kept their composure.

“Theirs was a demonstration of great equilibrium, of great dignity,” he said.

At the end of the Mass, the pontiff, visibly saddened by the incident, shouted to the crowd the words that became a theme for the trip: “Love is stronger.”

Shuns Politics

Asked Monday what political effects his trip could have on Chile and Argentina, John Paul said, “It is not my intention or competence to become involved in technical or political solutions to countries’ problems.”

He added, “I am generally very, very content with the visit.”

Despite the grueling 22,000-mile trip, during which the 66-year-old pontiff showed signs of fatigue, the Pope will have little time for rest until after Easter.

He began Holy Week celebrations Sunday in Buenos Aires with a Palm Sunday Mass attended by an estimated 1 million worshipers packed for a mile along one of the broadest avenues in the world.

The celebrations will culminate on Easter when the Pope delivers his Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) blessing and message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.