The Pope is going to Mexico from 12 to 18 February as a “missionary of mercy and peace” and to embrace “the suffering” in particular. Francis himself explained this in a video-message to Mexicans.
“Now that my trip to Mexico is just around the corner, I am glad, I feel great joy,” the Pope stated in a message in Spanish broadcast in Mexico yesterday and published today by the Vatican Press Office. “Mexicans always occupy a special place in my prayers. You are always in my heart and now I can visit you and step foot on this blessed land that is so loved by God and so dear to the Virgin Mary. You may be asking yourselves: what is the purpose of the Pope’s visit? The answer is simple: I wish to come as a missionary of mercy and peace, meet with you, for you, so that we can profess our faith in God together and share a fundamental truth in our lives: that God cares for us , loves us infinitely, more than we deserve. I wish to be close to you as much as possible, particularly to the suffering, so that I can embrace them and tell them that God loves them very much, that He is always by their side. I am glad to hear that you are praying a great deal in preparation for this visit. Prayer opens up our hearts and prepares it to receive God’s gifts. Prayer illuminates our eyes, allowing us to see others as God sees them, to love as God loves. Thank you very much for praying for me because I need it.
Do you want to know another of my greatest wishes? I would like to visit the house of the Virgin Mary (of Guadalupe, Ed.). I will approach the Mother like a son and I will entrust the entire contents of my heart to her. It is wonderful to be able to visit the home of one’s mother and feel the tenderness of her gentle presence. I will look her in the eyes and beseech her not to stop looking at us with merciful eyes because she is our mother in heaven. I entrust my visit and all of you, my dear Mexican brothers and sisters, to her. May Jesus Christ bless you and the holy Virgin Mary watch over you.”
