WelCom November 2020
Mexico’s president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has written to Pope Francis to ask for an apology for the Catholic Church’s role in the oppression of indigenous people in the Spanish conquest 500 years ago. The request was made in a two-page letter that also asked the Vatican to temporarily return several ancient indigenous manuscripts held in its library, ahead of next year’s 500-year anniversary of the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
López Obrador said the Spanish crown, Spain’s government and the Vatican should apologise to native people for the ‘most reprehensible atrocities’ committed after Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico in 1521. ‘They deserve not just that generous attitude on our part but also a sincere commitment that never again will disrespectful acts be committed against their beliefs and cultures.’
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