POPE Francis visited slums outside the Paraguayan capital Asuncion yesterday after denouncing “idolatrous” capitalism on Saturday.

The pontiff told a gathering of businesspeople, politicians and trade unionists that food, housing, health and education were essential for human dignity.

“Businessmen and women, politicians, economists must feel challenged in this regard,” he added.

“I ask them not to yield to an economic model which is idolatrous, which needs to sacrifice human lives on the altar of money and profit.”

While celebrating mass on Saturday in Caacupe, the Roman Catholic leader praised Paraguayan women for rebuilding the country after a devastating war in the 1860s wiped out more than half the population, primarily men.

“Then and now, you found the strength not to let this land lose its bearings,” he said to wild cheers from the crowd.