He then spoke out against the temptation of corruption and the practice of human trafficking, saying forcefully that the term slavery should be used instead: "We have become accustomed to using the term 'human trafficking', but in truth we should speak of slavery: slavery for work, sexual slavery, slavery for profit."
"It is painful to see how in this land … so many women are devalued, denigrated and exposed to endless violence. Violence against women cannot be treated as 'normal', maintaining a culture of machismo blind to the leading role that women play in our communities. It is not right for us to look the other way and let the dignity of so many women, especially young women, be trampled upon."
He noted that many people, desperate to escape poverty, come to the area to work in the gold mines, but he cautioned that gold can quickly turn into "a false god that demands human sacrifices."
"False gods, the idols of avarice, money and power, corrupt everything. They corrupt people and institutions, and they ruin the forest," he said, adding that Christ called these "demons that require much prayer to expel."
The Pope then urged the community to continue forming movements and organizations aimed at overcoming the plagues of corruption and trafficking. "I likewise encourage you to gather, as people of faith and vibrant ecclesial communities, around the person of Jesus," he said.
"Through heartfelt prayer and hope-filled encounter with Christ, we will be able to attain the conversion that leads us to true life. Jesus promised us true life, authentic life, eternal life. Not a make-believe life, like the one offered by all those dazzling false promises; they promise life but lead us to death."
Salvation, he said, "is not something generic or abstract. Our Father looks at real people, with real faces and histories. Every Christian community must be a reflection of this gaze, this presence that creates bonds and generates family and community. It is a way of making visible the kingdom of heaven, in communities where everyone feels a part of the whole, where they feel called by name and encouraged to be a builder of life for others."
Pope Francis closes his speech telling the people they live in one of "the most exuberant explosions of life on our planet," and urged them love the land and to "realize that it belongs to you. Breathe it in, listen to it, marvel at it."
"Fall in love with this land called 'Madre de Dios,' commit yourself to it and care for it," he said, and "do not use this land as a mere disposable object, but as a genuine treasure to be enjoyed, cultivated and entrusted to your children."
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.