Pope confirms plans to visit Mexico, Cuba
By Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN
December 13, 2011 -- Updated 0507 GMT (1307 HKT)
The pope said Latin American countries were playing an increasingly important role on the world stage.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The announcement draws applause from throngs of worshipers
- The pope confirms his plans at a Vatican Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Millions of pilgrims flock to a basilica in Mexico City for festivities honoring the revered figure
- The pope refers to the church's 2007 "continental mission" to spread the Gospel in the region
(CNN) -- Pope Benedict XVI confirmed plans Monday to visit Mexico and Cuba before Easter.
"I have the intention to undertake an apostolic voyage to Mexico and Cuba before Easter, to proclaim there the word of Christ and affirm the conviction that this is a precious time to evangelize with a steady faith, a living hope and an ardent charity," the pontiff said, speaking Spanish in a Vatican homily honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The announcement drew applause from throngs of worshipers at St. Peter's Basilica.
Roman Catholic Church officials in Cuba and Mexico have spoken since November about a possible papal visit, but Monday's remarks were the first public comments the pope has made about his plans.
Monday's Vatican Mass honored the virgin of Guadalupe, one of the most revered figures of Roman Catholicism in Mexico.
According to the Catholic faith, this year marks the 480th anniversary of the virgin's appearance on Tepeyac Hill, on the outskirts of what is now Mexico City.
Millions of pilgrims flock to the Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Mexico City every year for the celebration honoring her, which culminates December 12.
In his homily Monday, the pope said that many Latin American countries were celebrating the bicentennials of their independence and noted that they were playing an increasingly important role on the world stage.
He referred to Latin American and Caribbean bishops' 2007 announcement of a "continental mission" to spread the Gospel in the region.
"From my responsibility to confirm the faith, I also want to encourage apostolic zeal," he said.
CNN's Hada Messia and Krupskaia Alis contributed to this report.
Part of complete coverage on
May 25, 2012 -- Updated 0458 GMT (1258 HKT)
Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng tells CNN about his departure from China and his continuing concern for family and friends.
May 24, 2012 -- Updated 1739 GMT (0139 HKT)
Given recent headlines, you could easily assume something more dramatic than a singing competition was about to descend on Azerbaijan.
May 25, 2012 -- Updated 1213 GMT (2013 HKT)
Formula One's 12 teams have struck an agreement to secure the future of the sport until 2020, Bernie Ecclestone has exclusively told CNN.
May 26, 2012 -- Updated 2013 GMT (0413 HKT)
It was one small interview for astronaut Neil Armstrong ... and one giant scoop for an Australian accountant, of all people.
May 24, 2012 -- Updated 2136 GMT (0536 HKT)
Bastoy prison is on an island in southern Norway. There are no fences or armed guards, and inmates hold the keys to locks.
May 24, 2012 -- Updated 1336 GMT (2136 HKT)
Stars from Barcelona FC will be encouraging reading as part of a project to give one million digital books to African children.
May 25, 2012 -- Updated 0823 GMT (1623 HKT)
We have mixed in the Duke of Edinburgh's gaffes among other famous faux pas. Take our quiz and see how many of Philip's gaffes you can spot.
May 24, 2012 -- Updated 1534 GMT (2334 HKT)
The deadly clashes that are a fact of daily life in Syria have now bled into Lebanon, where sectarian shootouts are raising fears of an end to calm.
May 24, 2012 -- Updated 0746 GMT (1546 HKT)
Eva Wu has kept her teenage son's room unchanged ever since he died last year. Now, she also keeps him close in the form of a diamond.
May 25, 2012 -- Updated 0331 GMT (1131 HKT)
Demonstrators say Twitter posts and Facebook groups brought them to the streets of Mexico's capital and cities around the country.
May 26, 2012 -- Updated 0946 GMT (1746 HKT)
Ben Wedeman explains how much has changed since the last presidential election, but much remains the same.
May 22, 2012 -- Updated 1416 GMT (2216 HKT)
In Delhi, where there are more elephants than Mormons, Manu Joseph explores India's U.S. election-envy and why a Republican is better for India.
May 25, 2012 -- Updated 1149 GMT (1949 HKT)
The wheels are coming off the wagon, says Richard Quest -- and Greece's membership of the eurozone is untenable under the current conditions.
May 22, 2012 -- Updated 1428 GMT (2228 HKT)
Why some observers believe that the full story of who destroyed a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie has still to be uncovered.
Today's five most popular stories
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|