Chile Bearer of Unwelcome Tidings

The Pope talks tough with Pinochet, and millions take heart

Even before Pope John Paul II arrived, the rhythmic chant thundered through the packed stadium in Santiago. "Chi-Chi-Chi, le-le-le!" shouted 80,000 exuberant teenagers, stomping their feet and shaking the arena. Then they began to chant "Pin-o-chet, go away!," conscious that they were on the site where scores of Chileans were killed and hundreds tortured after the 1973 coup in which General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte toppled elected Marxist President Salvador Allende Gossens. His voice trembling, the Pope acknowledged the "sadness" of the place and urged his audience "not to remain indifferent in the face of injustice" but cautioned them to avoid being...

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