Pope breaks new ground with visit to Mexico’s Indians

‘‘I ask you to show singular tenderness in the way you regard indigenous peoples and their fascinating but not infrequently decimated cultures,’’ Francis told Mexico’s bishops at the weekend in a speech outlining their marching orders.

‘‘The indigenous people of Mexico still await true recognition of the richness of their contribution and the fruitfulness of their presence.’’

The Mexican hierarchy has long bristled at the region’s ‘‘Indian church’’, a mixture of Catholicism and indigenous culture that includes pine boughs, eggs and references to ‘‘God the Father and Mother’’ in services.

It was a tradition that was embraced by the late bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas, Samuel Ruiz, who ran afoul of both the Mexican church and the Vatican at times for his use of the local ways.

The Mass will include readings, prayers and hymns in the three main indigenous languages of Chiapas: Tzeltal, Tzotzil and Chol, which are spoken by just over 1 million people.

Despite the Pope’s overture, residents of Chiapas said they believe Francis is coming mostly to confirm their faith, not their status as indigenous.

‘‘It doesn’t matter that I’m indigenous; I think it’s more that I’m Catholic,’’ said Emanuel Gomez, a 22-year-old Tzotzil who planned to attend the Mass.

‘‘The Pope comes to encourage our hearts and faith as Catholics.’’

He added, though, that the visit would ‘‘lift us up so we don’t feel scorned by the powerful and rich’’.

About 46 per cent of Mexicans were living in poverty in 2014. That number surges in Chiapas, where some 76 per cent were living in poverty, 32 per cent in extreme poverty.