{UAH} Triumphant welcome for Pope Francis in Ecuador!

The Pope has arrived in Ecuador to start a more than week-long trip

to Latin America that will also take him to Paraguay and Bolivia.

The Pope's plane touched down at Quito International Airport 3 pm local time.

He was welcomed by thousands of people led by the President, Rafael Correa

his wife and the Papal Nuncio, and hundreds of journalists. The airport is just 40 km away from downtown Quito

where five million peoplke will participate in all ceremonies performed by the Pope, including

High Mass to be celebrated tomorrow Tuesday  before a 3-million strong gathering.

As he walked on the red carpet in company with the President the Pope was wildly cheered

by the thousands assembled within the airport premises. On both sides of the carpet were groups of

selected youths to represent all tribal and ethnic colours of the country's population. One of these

youths, a girl, acting as a protocol officer / announcer  requested the chief guest and the chief host to listen

to, the two anthems which were sung by a choral group with an orchestra accompaniment.

Then the President presented the local dignitaries present, and the Pope in turn presented his Vatican delegation.

Then the moment of official speeches came. The President expressed deep gratitude to welcome the Pope in Ecuador.

He confirmed the joy to welcome the Pope who was a chief defender of family values and environment. He praised the

Pope's stand on social justice, peace, migration. He also alluded full support to the Pope's very much popular encyclical

on ecology / environment. and he further commended the Pope's decision to have martyred Archbishop Oscar Romero beatified.

In reply the Pope thanked the President for the nice words that underlined his welcome speech, and he showed gratitude for the

very warm welcome Ecuador had accorded him. In the course of his intervention, the Pope insisted on the necessity to defend

the minority groups and the unprivileged. He assured the President and the nation of the support the Church will extend to them

in what regards the defence of the small and the weak. He concluded by confiding Ecuador to Jesus's protection.

After the Pope's speech which received wild applauses the orchestra played some nice pieces before the Pope was led to meet

the representatives of the minority tribal groups, among whom a delegation of black indigenous population  living in Ecuador. The Pope

affectionately embraced each delegate.

At the end of the airport ceremony the Pope was driven away in a popemobile to the mighty cheers of hudreds of thousands of people

who had lined the streets.

All in all the Pope will be cheered by millions of people in the three countries he's scheduled to visit. And he will meet some five heads

of state with whom he will discuss important matters related to the essence of his trip to Latin america.

Dr G.H. Kkolokolo ( Paris / France )