The first Latin American Pope in the history landed today (Sunday July 5, 2015) in Ecuador, kicking off his 3-nation tour to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay-- the three of the poorest nations in South American continent. But this poor region claims 40 percent of world's Catholics. It's the first time in three decades a Pope visiting Ecuador.

Known as "the Pope of poor people", Holy Father, in his welcoming ceremony, stressed the need to protect the poor and the environment from exploitation and to foster dialogue among all sectors of society. While delivering his speech in front of President Rafael Correa, Pope Francis reiterated the need to care for society's most marginal, guarantee socially responsible economic development and defend the Earth against profit-at-all-cost development that harms the poorest the most.

"From the peak of Chimborazo to the Pacific coast, from the Amazon rainforest to the Galapagos Islands, may you never lose the ability to thank God for what he has done and is doing for you," he said. "May you never lose the ability to protect what is small and simple, to care for your children and your elderly who are the memory of your people, to have confidence in the young and to be constantly struck by the nobility of your people and the singular beauty of your country."

According to the Pew Research Center, 79 percent of the population is Catholic in Ecuador, 77 percent in Bolivia and 89 percent in Paraguay.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he rides aboard the Popemobile in streets of Quito, Ecuador, Sunday, July 5, 2015.

Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa, right, greets Pope Francis upon his arrival to the Mariscal Sucre International airport in Quito Sunday, July 5, 2015.