Pope in Madagascar insists: 'Poverty is not inevitable'

Francis appealed for new development strategies to fight global poverty as he visited the Akamasoa project, or "City of Friendship," which soars on a hillside above the dump in Antananarivo. The project is the brainchild of an Argentine priest who was so overwhelmed by the abject poverty of Madagascar that he set about creating ways for the poor to earn a living.

The founder of Akamasoa, the Rev. Pedro Opeka, said the low salaries he can pay the quarry workers are an injustice. But he said they are at least better than what scavengers earn in the dump, and are enough to enable parents to send their children to school. The Akamasoa project, which is funded by donors around the world and recognized by the Madagascar government, says it has built some 4,000 homes in more than 20 villages serving some 25,000 people since its foundation in 1989. About 700 people work in the rock quarry, using simple mallets to chop chunks of granite into cobblestones or pebbles, while others work as carpenters or attend training classes. It says 14,000 children have passed through its schools.

"In Akamasoa, we have shown that poverty isn't inevitable, but was created by the absence of a social sensibility on the part of political leaders who abandoned and turned their back on the people who elected them," Opeka said. "This place of exclusion today has become a place of communion of brothers and sisters of the whole world."

Susane Razanamahasoa, 65, has worked in the quarry for 20 years, 9.5 hours a day, to provide for her six children. She said the pope's visit recalled the dedication to the poor of St. Francis of Assisi, his namesake. They roared and waved plastic Madagascar and Holy See flags as Francis looped through the crowd before Mass on his popemobile, kicking up red dust in his wake. Citing local organizers, the Vatican said an estimated 1 million people were in attendance.

Says the man from a golden throne who heads the the group that holds most of the worlds wealth. Sell some art or real estate and really help the poor, or let them eat cake. Illusion

Sure & the church does nothing to Help with all the Millions they Stole from the Poor People.

“Except under socialism “

As he sits on his gold plated throne. Very helpful.

What would Jesus do?

It absolutely isn't. Empty the Vatican coffers, chief. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

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