Jan 18, 2012 / 12:05 pm
Archbishop Jose Guadalupe Martin Rabago of Leon said Pope Benedict XVI’s upcoming trip to the city will be the first time a pontiff visits the country's area with the highest percentage of Catholics.
In an interview with CNA on Jan. 17, Archbishop Rabago expressed his joy that Leon was chosen as the site of the papal visit, which will take place March 23-26.
He noted that within the city “there is a section where 94 percent of the population is Catholic.” Pope John Paul II did not visit the area during any of his five trips to Mexico, and the arrival of Benedict XVI “is a way to allow people to rejoice in this experience of faith.”
Archbishop Rabago said the Pope’s visit is “a recognition of the fidelity of our people, who have remained faithful to the Church despite all the proselytism by sects. The people have overwhelmingly remained in the Church,” he added.