Pope Francis has denounced austerity and unbridled capitalism in a sweeping address in Bolivia. Denouncing the “new colonialism” of government austerity, Francis also apologized for the Catholic Church’s complicity in the oppression of indigenous people in the Americas.

Pope Francis: “I say this to you with regret: Many grave sins were committed against the native peoples of America in the name of God. My predecessors acknowledged this, CELAM (the Latin American Episcopal Council) has said it, and I, too, wish to say it. Like Saint John Paul II, I ask that the church 'kneel before God and implore forgiveness for the past and present sins of her sons and daughters.' I would also say, and here I wish to be quite clear, as was Saint John Paul II: I humbly ask forgiveness, not only for the offenses of the church herself, but also for crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America.”

Bolivian President Evo Morales presented Pope Francis with a crucifix carved into a hammer and sickle. The cross was originally designed by Jesuit activist Reverend Luis Espinal, who was assassinated by suspected Bolivian paramilitaries in 1980. Francis stopped to pray at the site where Espinal’s body was dumped when he arrived in Bolivia on Wednesday.