With the motto “Missionary of Mercy and Peace”, Pope Francis will be the third Pope who makes a pastoral visit to Mexico, a visit that foresees six stages: Mexico City, Ecatepec (State of Mexico), Tuxtla Gutierrez and San Cristobal de las Casas (Chiapas), Morelia (Michoacan) and Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua).
Pope Francis will be welcomed with an official reception guided by President Enrique Peña Nieto, at the National Palace. Despite the atmosphere of violence and injustice that prevails in various parts of the country, in the last days both the federal and local authorities as well as the Mexican Bishops’ Conference stated that everything is ready for a good outcome of the Pope’s visit. The visit is expected to leave a strong message of peace that positively affects the entire population.
The Salesian Family will participate in these events thanks to the entries provided by the respective dioceses. “The visit of Pope Francis – said Fr. Hugo Orozco, Provincial of Mexico-Guadalajara – is looked forward to because of its message and of the fresh contents with which it invites us to renovate ourselves and be authentic and faithful to the Gospel. We expect it will speak of the problems of migrations, the problems of the young and of their involvement in criminality, injustice, violence and inequality, the problems of the poor and of the natives. We expect the encouraging words of a pastor who knows his people and also the hope in the God who does not abandon, but who sustains and accompanies. The presence of the Pope is an opportunity to experience communion, to feel the urge to renovate the Church and to feel part of it. As Salesians, we are happy for the presence of the Pope.”
A few days ago the Holy Father sent a video-message to the Mexican people, as a “Missionary of Mercy and Peace”. All details are available in the site papafranciscoenmexico
Published on 12/02/2016
