AP PHOTOS: Editor selections from Latin America

Pope Francis visited three of South America's poorest nations, Bolivia, Ecuador and Paraguay, where he mingled with the meek and the mighty this past week.

Bolivian President Evo Morales gave the pontiff the most talked about gift of the whole trip — a crucifix in the shape of a hammer and sickle. The "Communist crucifix" as it became known is a replica of one designed by Jesuit activist Luis Espinal, who was assassinated in 1980 by suspected paramilitaries in Bolivia.

During one speech, Francis apologized for the sins and "crimes" committed by the Catholic Church against indigenous peoples during the colonial-era conquest of the Americas.

The pope ended his trip in Paraguay with a mass meeting with young people.

Elsewhere in Latin America, the Colima volcano in Mexico staged another of its periodic eruptions, spewing ash more than 4 miles into the sky that led authorities to evacuate several nearby hamlets.

Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff rode her bicycle near the Alvorada Palace presidential residence followed by her security detail as part of a new regimen of exercise.

In Peru, former President Alberto Fujimori was in court again trying to get his sentence for corruption and murder annulled. He is serving 25 years for crimes committed during his presidency.

Members of the opposition in Nicaragua clashed with police during a protest demanding fair election. Several legislators were beaten and also detained and but eventually released.

In Venezuela, cadets shouted while participating in the Independence Day military parade.