Monday, March 19, 2012
Pope
Benedict XVI to Visit Mexico from March 23 to 26
Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
- The Pope will
visit Mexico as both a Head of State and Head of the Catholic Church.
The Mexican government welcomes the upcoming visit to Mexico of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, from March 23 to
26. As both the spokesmen of the Holy See and the Mexican Bishops' Conference have announced, the Pope will travel to
the state of Guanajuato.
President Felipe Calderón invited the
Pope to come to Mexico during his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City in 2007. As part of his State visit,
the Pope will meet with the President in the city of Guanajuato, Guanajuato.
In
addition, the Secretaries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs will meet with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone, and the Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Dominique Mamberti.
The Pope will meet with the bishops of the American continent and the Mexican Bishops' Conference (CEM) in the
León, Guanajuato cathedral. The president of the CEM, Monsignor Carlos Aguiar Retes, also heads the Latin American
Episcopal Council (CELAM).
As part of his pastoral visit, the Pope will
celebrate Mass on Sunday, March 25 at Bicentennial Park in Silao, Guanajuato. About 350,000 people are expected to attend.
The federal government, the state government of Guanajuato, and the Mexican Bishops Conference
have coordinated their respective responsibilities for the Pope's pastoral and State visit to ensure its success.
Pope Benedict's visit to Mexico is part of the commemoration of the twentieth anniversary
of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Mexican State and the Holy See.
The Mexican government reaffirms its commitment to a secular Mexican State, of which it is the guarantor and protector,
as well as its desire to continue strengthening its relations with all of the States of the international community.
Pope Benedict XVI, as a bearer of messages of peace, reconciliation and a promoter of the
universal values that underpin his spiritual mission, will bring joy to the faithful in Mexico.
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Press Release: Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (SRE), Mexico, D.F.; translation SRE
