Pope Francis asked indigenous Mexicans for forgiveness for decades of discrimination during a visit to the southern state of Chiapas.
He made his appeal while celebrating Mass in three native languages.
“On many occasions, in a systematic and organised way, your people have been misunderstood and excluded from society,” the 79-year-old pontiff said to a crowd of thousands, after citing Popol Vuh, an ancient Mayan text.
“Some have considered your values, culture and traditions to be inferior. Others, intoxicated by power, money and market trends, have stolen your lands or contaminated them. How sad this is,” he said.
“How worthwhile it would be for each of us to examine our conscience and learn to say, ‘Forgive me!’”
The Pope also used the open-air service in San Cristobal de las Casas to warn about threats to the environment.
Throughout his five-day trip he has condemned the evils of forced emigration and drugs.
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