Pope: I will be in Mexico and Cuba before Easter 2012
Benedict XVI made the announcement during a solemn Mass in St. Peter's dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe and the bicentennial of the independence of several Latin American countries. The communist regime of Cuba, which has mainland China as its main partner, seeks Church support for its reforms that will have a huge social impact.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Benedict XVI will travel to Mexico and Cuba before Easter 2012: the Pope himself announced the trip yesterday afternoon during the solemn celebration of Mass in St. Peter's for the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, one of the most famous and revered Marian sanctuaries of the continent. The Mass that also celebrated the bicentenary of the independence of some countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The "Missa Criolla", or Creole Mass was used for the occasion, by the Argentinean composer Ariel Ramirez, who died last year. (09/12/2011 Pope to announce his trip to Cuba on Monday).
Benedict XVI spoke of his hope that "God's light shine, more and more on the face of each child of this beloved land and that the saving grace guide their decisions" for the building of a society based on the development of good, the triumph of love and the expansion of justice. And then he made the announcement expected: "With these vibrant hopes, and with the help of Divine Providence, I intend to make an apostolic trip to Mexico and Cuba before Easter to proclaim the word of Christ and to strengthen the conviction that this is a precious time to evangelize with a steady faith, a lively hope and an ardent charity. "
The Pope did not provide exact dates of his pastoral visit. Easter falls on April 8, 2012; the probable dates are the period between March 23 and 28. Doctors have placed limits with regard to places. So for health reasons a stop in Mexico City is not included given its high altitude, so the Mexican bishops have suggested three cities, Leon, Silao and Guanajuato, in Guanajuato State, the only one never touched by John Paul II in his many visits to Mexico. The Pope will also visit the shrine of the Cerro del Cubilete. But again for reasons of altitude, will not be able to go to the shrine of Guadalupe.
In his homily he spoke of the Virgen de Guadalupe: "I commend all these intentions to the loving mediation of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as well as the destiny of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean as they seek a better future"; and asked that the Christians of the continent provide "models of heroic Christian virtues in different life situations and social environments, so that their example will encourage a new evangelization."
During the expected period of the papal trip, the Cuban Church will be celebrating the closing of the Jubilee dedicated to the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, the patroness of Cuba, and the Pope will visit the shrine, southeast of Santiago. The communist regime in Havana is putting in motion a social reform that will have a huge social impact, so it is seeking the support of the Church. The People's Republic of China is now the most important partner of Cuba and trade with China rose from 440 million dollars 2001 to 1.83 billion in 2010.
Benedict XVI spoke of his hope that "God's light shine, more and more on the face of each child of this beloved land and that the saving grace guide their decisions" for the building of a society based on the development of good, the triumph of love and the expansion of justice. And then he made the announcement expected: "With these vibrant hopes, and with the help of Divine Providence, I intend to make an apostolic trip to Mexico and Cuba before Easter to proclaim the word of Christ and to strengthen the conviction that this is a precious time to evangelize with a steady faith, a lively hope and an ardent charity. "
The Pope did not provide exact dates of his pastoral visit. Easter falls on April 8, 2012; the probable dates are the period between March 23 and 28. Doctors have placed limits with regard to places. So for health reasons a stop in Mexico City is not included given its high altitude, so the Mexican bishops have suggested three cities, Leon, Silao and Guanajuato, in Guanajuato State, the only one never touched by John Paul II in his many visits to Mexico. The Pope will also visit the shrine of the Cerro del Cubilete. But again for reasons of altitude, will not be able to go to the shrine of Guadalupe.
In his homily he spoke of the Virgen de Guadalupe: "I commend all these intentions to the loving mediation of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as well as the destiny of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean as they seek a better future"; and asked that the Christians of the continent provide "models of heroic Christian virtues in different life situations and social environments, so that their example will encourage a new evangelization."
During the expected period of the papal trip, the Cuban Church will be celebrating the closing of the Jubilee dedicated to the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, the patroness of Cuba, and the Pope will visit the shrine, southeast of Santiago. The communist regime in Havana is putting in motion a social reform that will have a huge social impact, so it is seeking the support of the Church. The People's Republic of China is now the most important partner of Cuba and trade with China rose from 440 million dollars 2001 to 1.83 billion in 2010.
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