Pope's message of hope for Mexico

Pope Benedict has left a message of hope backed up by a plan of action for the young people of Mexico who constitute its future. The Holy Father outlined his aims for the people of Mexico, and especially the young, by explaining: "We must do everything possible to fight evil, which destroys our young. We must unmask this evil. Our duty and is to teach the young moral responsibility."

And ordinary people DO seek guidance. Organizers estimated that up to three hundred thousand people would attend Pope Benedict's open air mass in Guanajuato. In the event more than 640,000 turned up.

His Holiness refered to himself as a pilgrim of hope, and that in generous measure is what he's provided to a nation utterly weary of drug violence, which has killed 50,000...and counting.

The meeting between Mexican President Felipe Caleron and the Pope remained private. The President who stressed how important this visit was for morale at a critical time, will have provided a full briefing of the overall situation, which is grim.

Yet, the Mexican people now know that they've never been alone in this crisis, and that there is hope, faith.... and ahead is the task of nurturing a new upcoming generation.

Listen to James Blears report: