Pope mourns killing of environmental activist in Honduras

Pope Francis expresses grief for the murder of Juan Antonio Lopez, a “founding member of the integral ecology pastoral care in Honduras”, and says he stands close to those responding to the cry of the poor and the earth.

By Linda Bordoni



“I have learned with sorrow that Juan Antonio López, a delegate of the Word of God, coordinator of Social Pastoral Care in the Diocese of Trujillo, and founding member of the Integral Ecology Pastoral care in Honduras, was killed”, Pope Francis said.

Speaking after the Angelus Prayer on Sunday, the Pope said he joins in “mourning with that Church” and condemns every form of violence.

“I stand close to those whose basic rights are trampled and to those who commit themselves to the common good in response to the cry of the poor and the earth,” he said.

Juan Antonio López, a community leader in the city of Tocoa in northeastern Honduras, was gunned down on 14 September by an unidentified assailant as he was leaving Mass.

More:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-angelus-honduras-enviornmental-activist-juan-antonio-lopez.html