Pope holds mass attended by hundreds of thousands
- 12 years ago
On third and final day of his visit to Mexico, Pope Benedict said mass for a crowd of 300,000 people on the outskirts of Leon in the central part of the country
The 84-year-old pontiff condemned the drug trafficking and corruption responsible for Mexico's soaring crime rate. He also urged those gathered to see beyond violence and revenge.
SOUNDBITE: Pope Benedict XVI saying (Italian):
"When so many are suffering due to poverty, corruption, domestic violence, drug trafficking, the crisis of values or crime, we come to Mary in search of consolation, strength, and hope. It helps us to look inside the human heart, especially in times of pain and hope like those which the Mexican people are currently facing."
The message appeared to resonate with worshipers --- many of whom traveled great distances to attend the mid-day mass.
For many Mexicans, what will probably be just as memorable as the pope's words -- was his decision earlier in the day to don a sombrero.
The moved delighted the crowd who roared their approval and chanted "Pope Benedict, brother, you are a Mexican."
This is Pope Benedict's first visit to Mexico which is home which is home to about half of the world's Catholics.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
The 84-year-old pontiff condemned the drug trafficking and corruption responsible for Mexico's soaring crime rate. He also urged those gathered to see beyond violence and revenge.
SOUNDBITE: Pope Benedict XVI saying (Italian):
"When so many are suffering due to poverty, corruption, domestic violence, drug trafficking, the crisis of values or crime, we come to Mary in search of consolation, strength, and hope. It helps us to look inside the human heart, especially in times of pain and hope like those which the Mexican people are currently facing."
The message appeared to resonate with worshipers --- many of whom traveled great distances to attend the mid-day mass.
For many Mexicans, what will probably be just as memorable as the pope's words -- was his decision earlier in the day to don a sombrero.
The moved delighted the crowd who roared their approval and chanted "Pope Benedict, brother, you are a Mexican."
This is Pope Benedict's first visit to Mexico which is home which is home to about half of the world's Catholics.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.