Pope calls for end to violence in Peru, respect for human rights

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window at the Vatican, January 22, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday called for an end to violence in Peru, where nearly 50 people have been killed during anti-government demonstrations in the past few weeks.

"No to violence, regardless of where it originates. No more deaths," the Argentine pope said in Spanish at his weekly address to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square, briefly departing from the rest of the address, which was in Italian.