Screenshot from the Catholic News Service
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Pope Benedict said he arrived in Mexico as a "pilgrim of faith, of hope, and of love," promoting the cause of religious freedom, social progress and the Catholic Church's charitable works, reports the Catholic News Service.
Bells tolled and the assembled crowd cheered as the pontiff appeared through the door of his Alitalia plane at Guanajuato Internal Airport in central Mexico March 23.
He was greeted by Mexican President Felipe Calderon and other dignitaries, including Archbishop Jose Martin Rabago of Leon and Archbishop Carlos Aguilar Retes of Tlalnepantla, president of the Mexican bishops' conference and the Latin American bishops' council, CELAM.
In his remarks at the arrival ceremony, Pope Benedict paid tribute to the Mexican people's religious faith and reputation for hospitality, but he addressed the main part of his speech to all Latin American nations, noting that most of them "have been commemorating, in recent years, the bicentennial of their independence."
The Pope related the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity to challenges the region faces today. In doing so, the pope highlighted themes that he is likely to address again during his time in Mexico and Cuba, where he travels March 26.
Separately, the Vatican Insider reports that the pontiff met with eight family members of victims of organised crime, an unexpected visit arranged by Mexican President Felipe Calderon.
The report said the meeting "was intense and moving".
FULL STORY AND OTHERS
Pope arrives in Mexico as 'pilgrim of faith, of hope, and of love' (Catholic News Service)
Pope's unscheduled meeting with Mexican drug war victims (Vatican Insider)
Pope condemns drug wars on Mexican visit (Sydney Morning Herald/LA Times)
Ratzinger altered canon law to soften Maciel punishment, book argues (National Catholic Reporter)
PHOTO CREDIT
Screenshot from the Catholic News Service