Pope to Join Thousands at World Meeting of Social Movements

Delegations from over 34 countries have confirmed that they will join Pope Francis at the second World Meeting of Social Movements in Bolivia next month, organizers confirmed this week.    

Pope Francis gained popularity with social movements this week, after he released his historic encyclical in which he called for “decisive action” on climate change, stopping short of calling it a moral duty.  

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Alfredo Rada, Vice Minister of the Coordination of Social Movements, confirmed Thursday that most of the registered participants at this years' world forum are from Latin American countries, but there will also be delegations from Asia, Africa and Europe.  

Nearly 1,500 representatives will attend from various labor, civilian and indigenous organizations. President Evo Morales is also expected to attend the closing meeting July 9.   

“We are very excited by the level of call we are achieving in this World Meeting of Social Movements, that I think is greatly due to the Pope's visit,” said Rada.

Apart from climate change and environmental issues, the forum is also expected to discuss other global issues such as working conditions, housing, slavery, migration, peace and sovereignty.  

This year's meeting of social, popular and unionist movements was specifically scheduled to coincide with the Pope's three day visit to the Latin American country, who arrives July 8. The meeting and is expected to take off from the previous one held last year in the Vatican.