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An estimated 300,000 gathered to hear Pope Benedict condemn drug trafficking and corruption in the World’s second-largest Catholic country – Mexico.
The pope also asked people to put aside violence and revenge in the country where a murderous war between cartels has led to tens of thousands of deaths.
With roads closed, pilgrims walked for miles to the Mass with plastic lawn chairs, water and backpacks. Old women walked with canes. Some Mass-goers wrapped themselves in blankets or beach towel-sized Vatican flags, trekking past vendors selling sun hats, flags, potato chips and bottles of juice.
The people, some who camped for two days to get a good position, and many adorned in hats and using umbrellas to shelter against the searing heat, heard Benedict urge them to conversion and reconciliation.
He prayed that Mexicans would be given the strength “to boldly promote peace, harmony, justice and solidarity.”
Benedict also urged them to set aside “futile acts of revenge” and banish all hatred.
Benedict delivered his message in the shadow of the Christ the King monument, one of the most important symbols of Mexican Christianity, which recalls the 1920’s Roman Catholic uprising against the anti-clerical laws that forbade public worship services such as the one Benedict celebrated.
“At this time when so many families are separated or forced to emigrate, when so many are suffering due to poverty, corruption, domestic violence, drug trafficking, the crisis of values and increased crime, we come to Mary in search of consolation, strength and hope,” Benedict said in a prayer at the end of Mass. “She is the mother of the true God, who invites us to stay with faith and charity beneath her mantle, so as to overcome in this way all evil and to establish a more just and fraternal society.”
Many said the pope showed a deep understanding of the challenges Mexico faces. While they said things may not change as a result, at least the pontiff gave them hope.
“People leave for the good of their families,” said Jose Porfirio Garcia Martinez, 56, an indigenous farmworker who came to the mass with 35 others from Puebla. “For us it’s difficult, not seeing them for 10 years, communicating by phone and by Internet.”
Benedict had a special word for the children.
“In these moments, I would like all the children of Mexico to know this, especially those who have had to bear the burden of suffering, abandonment, violence or hunger, which in recent months, because of drought, has made itself strongly felt in some regions,” he told the crowd.
“That is why I wish to lift up my voice, inviting everyone to protect and to care for our children, so that nothing may extinguish their smile, but that they may live in peace and look to the future with confidence. You, my dear young friends, are not alone. You can count on the help of Christ and his Church,” the Pope said.
Sources
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News category: World.
