Pope Benedict XVI started his trip to the New World Friday when he arrived in Mexico. He called on the region to end its violence and urged the leaders of Cuba to end their Marxist rule, saying that it no longer is reality. President Felipe Calderon and Mexican first lady Margarita Zavala welcomed the pope and then escorted him along the route from the airport. This is the pope’s first visit to Latin America.
Calderon addressed the crowd from the airport tarmac saying, “Mexico stands today because we persevere with solidarity and hope and we have principles and values that are based on family, justice, liberty and democracy,”
The area around the airport held a carnival atmosphere, as people were waving flags, screaming the pope’s name and white and yellow balloons were flying everywhere. People lined both sides of the street in Leon, at place they were lines four to five deep to watch the “Pope Mobile” pass.
Benedict said that drugs and violence were destroying too many young lives in Mexico. He said it was the responsibility of the church to teach moral responsibility and educate the conscience.
Monday the pope will fly to Cuba. He says that the Marxist ideology no longer can respond to today’s realty. He urged Cubans to find new ways but through patience.
