Pope Francis Delivers Message Of Peace, Unity During Mass In Mexico City
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP)-- Vatican officials estimate as many as 1 million people came out to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis during his first full day in Mexico.
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi says the figure includes people who lined the motorcade routes Saturday as well as those who attended the pope's Mass at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe and gathered at the capital's main square.
Pope Francis emerged Saturday morning to the roar of thousands and bells tolled as he rode through Mexico City, stopping time and time again to bless the sick and kiss babies, TV 10/55's Adriana Diaz reported.
Lila Aldana and her mother traveled from Guatemala to see the pope on her mother's birthday.
"It was a very exciting experience here with my mother, it was a blessing," Aldana said.
During his homily, the pope called for peace and unity, and also discussed poverty, immigration and crime.
At the presidential palace, a military band played during the pope's official welcome ceremony, and later the leader of the Catholic church delivered a message of tough love to Mexican politicians, telling them not to be seduced by privilege, but to offer true justice and meet the basic needs of all Mexicans.
He also met with Mexico's Catholic bishops, urging them to show more transparency and fight against the evils of the drug trade.
Crowds are also expected to be big Sunday when Francis goes to the crime-ridden suburb of Ecatepec for his biggest Mass in Mexico. The site has a capacity for 400,000 people.
He is expected to pay respects to migrants who died trying to reach the United States.
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