Hope at heart of Pope's Mexico visit

The Pope is leaving Mexico with a fond farewell, but also a message of real hope. James Blears has this report. Listen

Mexico's people, who are grateful Pope Benedict came to visit them, during the most challenging time for the Nation in more than a hundred years, are now sad that he's leaving, realizing that it might well have been his first, but also last visit. However, they're fortified by his message of support, realizing that the gigantic problem of the Drug War, which has evolved into a full blown crisis, is whole heartedly shared.

Many so called commentators had expressed surprise, by the depth of warmth and feeling, which has greeted the Pope during this visit. Yet these doubts were never shared by himself, or lingered in the hearts of the many thousands who came to Guanajuato to see him and to hear what he had to say in offering them a lifeline of real hope.

He now travels to Cuba, where the challenges are of a different nature, but of a similar magnitude. Pope Benedict has already and publically said that Marxism no longer responds to reality. The Country's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has carefully responded, that the exchange of ideas is useful, as well he might, because the Church existed long before this Administration in Havana, and will continue, long after it's fulfilled its term and run its course.

Fidel Castro is no longer leader of Cuba. So It remains to be seen whether the cautious but positive progress achieved by his younger brother Raul, who's now President, will continue.