Vatican City, Sep 7, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Meeting at his summer residence of Castelgandolfo earlier today, Pope Benedict told visiting prelates from the Mexican bishop’s conference that the Church in Mexico must accompany all members of society--especially the young--in sifting through new challenges in an increasingly pluralistic society.
The Pope told the bishops, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit, that "the Mexican nation came into being as a meeting of peoples and cultures, their nature and character marked by the living presence of Jesus Christ and the mediation of Mary."
"Today,” the Holy Father said however, “Mexico is experiencing a process of transition characterized by the appearance of groups that, in a more or less ordered fashion, seek new areas for participation and representation.”
He said that “Many of them, with particular force, advocate claims in favor of the poor and of those excluded from development, especially indigenous people."