Mexico, the World's second largest Catholic country is eager to welcome Pope Benedict
on his first trip there. James Blears has been guaging opinions. Mexico is in the
middle of a savage six year Drug War, which has claimed more than 50,000 lives. Many,
many Mexicans are welcoming the Papal visit at this uniquely challenging time, and
are longing for words of support and guidence to provide them light at the end of
a very dark tunnel. Accordignly security will be very tight, including troops as well
as Federal, State and Municipal Police. Organizers expect more than a million
visitors to the central State of Guanajuato, many of whom will attend a giant open
air Mass on Sunday. Mexico's population which is still predominantly young, is
looking to the Pope for guidance, hope and wisdom, to help tackle a formidable range
of issues and problems- the greatest of which is the challenge to law and order, from
organized crime. Mexico's President Felipe Calderon, is due to welcome his holiness
in the City of Leon. The vast majority of Mexicans are baptised into the Catholic
Faith, but more and more are failing to attend mass regularly. It's a challenge which
must be addressed during the Pope's three day stay in the country his predecessor
described as: "Always loyal." Listen to the report from our correspondent in Mexico,
James Blears: