2012-03-30 16:33:55

Holy See’s spokesman analyses Pope’s Mexico, Cuba trips


(March 30, 2012) It was a direct and personal encounter between the Pope and the peoples of Mexico and Cuba, and symbolically with all Hispanic peoples of Latin America. This was one of the most important meanings of Pope Benedict XVI’s pastoral visits to Mexico and Cuba, according to the Holy See’s spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi. His comments on the Pope’s March 23-29 visit came in his weekly editorial ‘Ottava Dies’ on Vatican Radio. The Jesuit priest who had accompanied the Pope to the two countries, noted that for hundreds of millions of Catholics in the Americas, the visit to Mexico and Cuba was a decisive step in focussing attention towards the continent. Fr. Lombardi said the Pope gave a clear message of encouragement to the Church in both the countries, openly calling for more space and religious liberty for the Church, not as a privilege but as a means of service to contribute to the good of all and for building a society that is more fraternal, more just, peaceful and reconciled. Referring to those who criticize the Pope for missing out on important meetings such as a visit to Mexico’s famous Marian shrine of Guadalupe, or the meeting with Cuban dissidents and victims abused by disgraced Catholic priest Marcial Maciel, Fr. Lombardi said obviously it was not possible for the Pope to do everything he wanted in a very short period, but those listening to him understood his spirit and his intentions, and those following him understood the coherence and courage of his messages. According to the Vatican spokesman the Mexican and Cuban visits had been profound, spontaneous and sincere, and that is the trust and hope that Pope Benedict wished to offer.







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