Pope Benedict XVI went to Mexico and Cuba

Pope Benedict XVI

This morning Pope Benedict XVI began his six-day trip to Mexico and Cuba, with a mission to address issues of violence, drug trafficking and the evolution of the Cuban Communist regime.

After seven years, Benedict will visit two Latin American countries, the most Catholic region in the world, to perform a relatively less loaded program, due to his advanced age.

The Pope will be received on Friday afternoon by the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon. Later, the Pope will respond to the discomfort expressed by believers, who feel neglected after the death of John Paul II, who made 26 trips to Latin America. It also commemorates the Virgin of Guadalupe, patroness of Latin America and meets with all the presidents of Episcopal conferences of the continent.

In Cuba, (less Catholic country of the continent), Benedict XVI will arrive on Monday 26, in order to help consolidate the approchement between Church and State, which began with the historic visit of Pope John Paul II in 1998. First Benedict will visit Santiago de Cuba and then La Habana. On March 27, he will meet with President Raul Castro and the idea that he meets with the old “Maximum Leader,” Fidel Castro is not ruled out.

The Papal’s visit will end on March 28 with a mass at the Revolution Square Jose Marti, with a capacity of one million people.

(BG)