Vatican City, Sep 22, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Earlier this morning, Pope Benedict held audience with visiting Mexican bishops, in Rome for their "ad limina" visits, and reminded them that the peoples of multiple cultures and traditions who coexist in their cities must be accommodated with special pastoral care, giving particular attention to the poor and marginalized.
The prelates came from the Mexican metropolitan sees of Jalapa, Mexico, Puebla and Tlalnepantla, and from their suffragan dioceses.
The central region of Mexico, the Pope said in his address, "is the area where the ancient indigenous people settled, and where the Church's missionary activity began, later extending to the other areas."
After highlighting that "multiple cultures and traditions" coexist in the cities, he also indicated how life there is complicated "for the various social classes to whom diocesan pastoral activity must be directed without discrimination, giving priority to those who find themselves in situations of great poverty, solitude and marginalization."