Pope Francis Meets with Yanomami Leader to Discuss Protection of the Amazon

Pope Francis met Wednesday with Davi Kopenawa, a leader of Brazil’s Yanomami people to discuss the challenges faced by the Indigenous community and the Amazon region. Kopenawa, a Yanomami shaman, donned in traditional attire, presented a letter to Pope Francis outlining the concerns of the Yanomami people and seeking support for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s efforts to address the exploitation of the Amazon and protect its Indigenous peoples.

The Yanomami Indigenous Territory, Brazil's largest, has been severely impacted by illegal gold miners who have contributed to deforestation and pollution of water sources with mercury. During the previous administration of President Jair Bolsonaro, the deforestation of the Amazon reached a 15-year high, causing significant harm to the region and its inhabitants.

Efforts to Address the Crisis

Kopenawa expressed his hope for international support in combatting the destruction of the planet and emphasized the importance of taking action to preserve the Amazon rainforest, which plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change. He urged for concerted efforts to halt the ongoing environmental degradation.

Following Lula’s assumption of office, measures were promptly taken to address the crisis, including the declaration of a public health emergency in Yanomami lands and initiatives to remove illegal miners. Additionally, environmental enforcement agencies were empowered to crack down on illegal activities, resulting in a significant reduction in deforestation during the first year of Lula’s term.

Call for Continued Support

While acknowledging the initial progress, Kopenawa emphasized the need for ongoing support from the international community and sought the pope’s reinforcement of their efforts to defend the rights of the people and preserve the environment.

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, has been a vocal advocate for environmental conservation, particularly in the Amazon region. His encyclical “Praised Be” in 2015 sharply criticized the exploitation of the Amazon and emphasized the responsibility to protect the Earth from degradation. In 2019, he convened a special meeting to address the unique challenges faced by the Amazon and its Indigenous communities.

Although an official statement from the Vatican was not provided as per protocol, an informal media briefing with Kopenawa was organized, indicating unofficial support for the discussions and the initiatives presented during the meeting with Pope Francis.