{"id":62555,"date":"2026-03-22T11:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T10:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/?p=62555"},"modified":"2026-03-22T15:14:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T14:14:03","slug":"prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Prevost and Pachamama: The Truth Behind the Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"prevost<\/p>\n

Commentary on images of Prevost kneeling before the Pachamama<\/strong><\/mark> that have surfaced online. After investigating, we uncovered<\/strong> details that help clarify the situation.<\/i><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

A photograph<\/strong> is fueling the fire of controversy on the web.<\/p>\n

The image, which no one in Italy has yet discussed, shows Robert Francis Prevost<\/strong><\/mark> in 1995 kneeling during a pagan rite associated with the Pachamama<\/strong>, in the context of an Augustinian symposium held in S\u00e3o Paulo.<\/p>\n

Rather than silencing the matter, we carried out a small investigation<\/strong> and thus formed a judgment<\/strong> after considering seven elements, which we summarize below.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Prevost kneeling before Pachamama?<\/h2>\n

The photograph comes from the official proceedings<\/strong> of the conference held from January 23 to 28, 1995, titled “Ecoteolog\u00eda: Una Perspectiva desde San Agust\u00edn”<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Prevost was reportedly identified by some Augustinian religious, and the resemblance<\/strong> is strong: we will assume it is him.<\/p>\n

The case was brought to light by Father Charles Murr<\/strong>, a priest linked to American traditionalist circles who claims to have had a role in the Roman Curia during the time of Paul VI (there is no documentary evidence).<\/p>\n

\n

Stay updated by subscribing<\/strong> to our new channels:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

1) What the caption says<\/h2>\n

First of all, the caption<\/strong> accompanying the image describes the scene as \u201ccelebration of the Pachamama rite (mother earth)\u201d<\/i>, linked to Andean agricultural traditions.<\/p>\n

One detail we noticed is that it speaks of an \u201cagricultural rite\u201d<\/i> while making no reference to Pachamama as a “deity<\/strong>.” In fact, while “Rite” is capitalized, “pachamama” is written in lowercase.<\/p>\n

Nor is explicitly religious language used, such as terms like “adoration,” “veneration,” “sacrifice,” etc.<\/p>\n

Still, perplexity<\/strong> remains: the act of kneeling and participating in such a rite\u2014even if agricultural and without explicit worship of a deity\u2014remains controversial.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2) Pagan rite or educational symposium?<\/h2>\n

What if it was more of a didactic and instructional<\/strong> moment rather than a religious one?<\/p>\n

Additional images of the event that we retrieved from YouTube point in this direction and help to contextualize<\/strong> the facts.<\/p>\n

First of all, no statues or deities<\/strong> can be observed. In the \u201cincriminated\u201d scene, the objects present are a dark bottle<\/strong> containing liquid and a ciborium<\/strong> raised by the presumed celebrant.<\/p>\n

Another image, admittedly not very edifying, shows participants lying on the ground<\/strong>. The only one who does not<\/strong> appear in this posture is Prevost himself.<\/p>\n

From the photo below<\/strong>, it can be seen that the other participants had already been lying on the ground for some time; he has not yet joined them and, from his body posture\u2014and considering he was previously kneeling\u2014it rather seems that he is getting up<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"prevost_pachamama\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We discovered that the context of the \u201ccelebration\u201d takes place within an academic symposium<\/strong>, a conference on rereading Saint Augustine \u201cfrom a Latin American perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

Participants held classroom lectures<\/strong> and then moved outdoors.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Other images reveal that there were also a procession<\/strong> and a Eucharistic celebration<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"prevost_pachamama\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3) Informality and laughter<\/h2>\n

A detail that no one has noticed is that the atmosphere among some participants in the Pachamama rite is cheerful and amused<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is evident from the laughter<\/strong> of an Augustinian and another man in the background. We have marked them with red circles.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If it had truly been a sacred ritual<\/strong>, would they have been laughing? We doubt it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4) Pachamama: deity or agricultural custom?<\/h2>\n

It should also be noted that while some Andean communities truly venerate Pachamama<\/strong> as a (pagan) deity, for others it is more like an agricultural or symbolic custom<\/strong>, without religious involvement.<\/p>\n

Both the caption and the color images point in this direction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5) Inculturation and ecumenism<\/h2>\n

Another element helps us place the images in their historical context.<\/p>\n

It is 1995, and Robert Francis Prevost<\/strong> is not a leading figure in the Church, but a young and simple missionary<\/strong> in Peru.<\/p>\n

Could the young Father Prevost have underestimated the situation? Could he have erred through excessive ecumenism<\/strong>? Could he have simply made a mistake in participating, realizing it only afterward? Certainly, without a doubt.<\/p>\n

In any case, we cannot know<\/strong> his inner intentions.<\/p>\n

It should also be said that the ecclesial climate of the time<\/strong>\u2014especially in Latin America\u2014was strongly marked by the theme of inculturation<\/strong>: the attempt, also promoted by the Magisterium, to engage with local cultures and be involved in their traditions and religiosity, without adopting their contents.<\/p>\n

This is what the Jesuits also did during the colonial era within the famous Reductions in Paraguay<\/em><\/strong>. In that case, it proved to be an extremely effective method of Christian evangelization.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

6) Leo XIV against Pachamama<\/h2>\n

We also recall that Prevost himself, once he became Pope, clearly opposed<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/u> the veneration of nature<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A year ago, addressing<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/u> the bishops of the Amazon<\/strong>, he instructed them that \u201cno one should submit to natural goods as a slave or a worshiper of nature<\/strong>, since these things have been given to us to reach our end of praising God and thus obtaining the salvation of our souls.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

\"prevost<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

7) JP II and BXVI, between the Qur\u2019an and the mosque<\/h2>\n

One last point to consider.<\/p>\n

Similar gestures to the one performed by Prevost in 1995 were seen more recently not from simple missionaries but from beloved Popes such as Paul VI<\/strong>, John Paul II<\/strong>, and Benedict XVI<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Paul VI<\/strong>, on July 25, 1967, entered the Grand Mosque of Istanbul, a former basilica that had been violated by Mehmed II with his famous entry on horseback. According to sources, the Pope knelt in prayer.<\/p>\n

John Paul II<\/strong>, on May 14, 1999, during an interreligious meeting, was photographed kissing the Qur\u2019an<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The gesture did not take place in mission territory, but in the Vatican<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Benedict XVI<\/strong>, on November 30, 2006, entered the Blue Mosque barefoot alongside the Mufti of Istanbul and prayed facing the mihrab<\/strong>, the niche indicating the direction of Mecca. At the end, the Pontiff turned to the Mufti saying: \u201cThank you for this moment of prayer.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

The then Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi<\/strong>, explained<\/a><\/em><\/strong> afterward:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHe did not make a prayer<\/strong> in a Christian form. Naturally, out of respect for others, one does not pray in the characteristic form of one\u2019s own faith in a place designated for the public prayer of another faith. But that the Pope had a personal attitude of prayer<\/strong> is not strange. A moment of personal and intimate prayer.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

All these are gestures that sparked discussion but were officially interpreted as signs of respect<\/strong> and dialogue, not of syncretism.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Prevost and Pachamama: conclusion<\/h2>\n

We now come to the conclusion<\/strong>: what do we think?<\/p>\n

We have tried to do what any reasonable and well-disposed person should do: analyze the case without prejudice, place it in context, and seek to understand it<\/strong>, avoiding the crude fanaticism of those who would like to turn Catholicism into a conspiratorial joke<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In light of what has been observed, it seems forced<\/strong> to turn a photograph from thirty years ago into proof of heresy or doctrinal deviation. The images alone do not allow<\/strong> us to determine what really happened, nor the inner intentions of the young Prevost.<\/p>\n

The possible interpretations<\/strong> remain many: active participation in a didactic-religious symposium on the history and rites of Latin American indigenous peoples? Observation of a traditional rural rite? Religious involvement in a syncretistic act?<\/p>\n

Kneeling remains a strong gesture<\/strong>: could Prevost have participated while remaining standing?<\/p>\n

At the same time, however, we should ask: could Saint John Paul II<\/strong> have shown religious respect without kissing the Qur\u2019an? Could Benedict XVI<\/strong> have visited the mosque without praying facing Mecca?<\/p>\n

Everyone will give their own answer\u2014provided they keep the full context<\/strong> in mind, without selecting only the most convenient elements.<\/p>\n

Based on what has been presented so far, the image of Prevost at the Pachamama rite does not appear to be<\/strong> an act of religious worship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A closer look at images of Prevost kneeling before Pachamama that surfaced online. Our investigation uncovered key details.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":62557,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1687,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[2169,2167,2168],"class_list":["post-62555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-pachamama","tag-prevost","tag-prevost-pachamama"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPrevost and Pachamama: The Truth Behind the Photos - UCCR<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A closer look at images of Prevost kneeling before Pachamama that surfaced online. Our investigation uncovered key details.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Prevost and Pachamama: The Truth Behind the Photos - UCCR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A closer look at images of Prevost kneeling before Pachamama that surfaced online. Our investigation uncovered key details.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"UCCR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uccronlineng\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-22T10:04:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-22T14:14:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/prevost_pachamama787.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"webmaster\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"webmaster\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/\",\"name\":\"Prevost and Pachamama: The Truth Behind the Photos - UCCR\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/prevost_pachamama787.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-22T10:04:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-22T14:14:03+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/#\/schema\/person\/266504740f79258d3ff1428b591e842a\"},\"description\":\"A closer look at images of Prevost kneeling before Pachamama that surfaced online. Our investigation uncovered key details.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/prevost_pachamama787.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/prevost_pachamama787.webp\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":630,\"caption\":\"prevost pachamama\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Prevost and Pachamama: The Truth Behind the Photos\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/\",\"name\":\"UCCR\",\"description\":\"Union of Catholic Christian Rationalists\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/#\/schema\/person\/266504740f79258d3ff1428b591e842a\",\"name\":\"webmaster\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/author\/webmaster\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Prevost and Pachamama: The Truth Behind the Photos - UCCR","description":"A closer look at images of Prevost kneeling before Pachamama that surfaced online. Our investigation uncovered key details.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Prevost and Pachamama: The Truth Behind the Photos - UCCR","og_description":"A closer look at images of Prevost kneeling before Pachamama that surfaced online. Our investigation uncovered key details.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/","og_site_name":"UCCR","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uccronlineng\/","article_published_time":"2026-03-22T10:04:18+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-22T14:14:03+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/prevost_pachamama787.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"webmaster","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"webmaster","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/","url":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/","name":"Prevost and Pachamama: The Truth Behind the Photos - UCCR","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/prevost_pachamama787.webp","datePublished":"2026-03-22T10:04:18+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-22T14:14:03+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/#\/schema\/person\/266504740f79258d3ff1428b591e842a"},"description":"A closer look at images of Prevost kneeling before Pachamama that surfaced online. Our investigation uncovered key details.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/prevost_pachamama787.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/prevost_pachamama787.webp","width":1200,"height":630,"caption":"prevost pachamama"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/2026\/03\/22\/prevost-and-pachamama-the-truth-behind-the-photos\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Prevost and Pachamama: The Truth Behind the Photos"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/","name":"UCCR","description":"Union of Catholic Christian Rationalists","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/#\/schema\/person\/266504740f79258d3ff1428b591e842a","name":"webmaster","url":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/author\/webmaster\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62555"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62555"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62570,"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62555\/revisions\/62570"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uccronline.it\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}