(March 24.2012) The overflowing joy expressed in welcoming the Pope is something
that strikes us strongly, says a top Vatican official commenting on the papal visit
to Mexico and Cuba which began on Saturday. Jesuit father Federico Lombardi, head
of the Vatican’s Press Office, recalls how the pope spoke with great satisfaction
of the spontaneous and warm welcome he had received on his recent visit to Benin
in Africa. It was the overwhelming desire of people to live and live well, despite
poverty and their innumerable problems. The Pope is touched by every smile, every
applause, every gesture of welcome along the long route he traverses. And the Pope
underlines that Christian joy is born of faith in the resurrection, and no one can
deprive a believer of such joy.