Pope Francis will visit the Mexican capital and three states early next year, Mexico’s foreign relations secretary announced Wednesday.
Claudia Ruiz Massieu said Pope Francis will visit Mexico City, Chiapas, Chihuahua and Michoacan, the latter three locales that present opportunities for the pontiff to touch on issues he has emphasized, such as poverty, migration and support for indigenous communities.
Chiapas, on Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala, is one of Mexico’s poorest states, heavily indigenous and a key migratory corridor for Central Americans traveling north to the United States. It has also seen rising rates of conversions to evangelical churches in recent years.
Chihuahua, in the north, also sees many thousands of people passing through each year trying to cross the border into Texas. Francis, who visited the United States in September, has said he would have liked to have entered the country from Mexico as a gesture of solidarity with migrants, but was unable to fit it into his schedule.
Michoacan, in southwestern Mexico, is a conservative state that historically has had a high percentage of Catholic residents. In recent years it has also been a flashpoint for severe drug cartel violence.
Ruiz Massieu said Francis’ trip will take place in the first months of 2016 and that specifics of his itinerary would be released by the Vatican next month.
Mexican Cardinal Norberto Rivera said recently that the pope would arrive Feb. 12, but that date has not been confirmed by the Vatican.
Mexico is home to more Roman Catholics than any other Spanish-speaking country. Benedict XVI was the last pope to visit, in 2012.
Trending News on PVDN
The Connection Between the Jalisco Cartel, Missing Employees at Call Center, 45 Bags of Body Parts, Timeshare Scams, and American Tourists PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - More than a week after the initial disappearance of eight young workers at a call center in Zapopan, Jalisco, the case continues to be shrouded in mystery, leaving families distraught and demanding answers. The Jalisco Prosecutor's Office has made little progress in the investigation, according to the relatives of the missing…
Shocking Case of Animal Abuse in Mexico: Man Throws Dog into Boiling Fry Oil PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - A disturbing incident of animal abuse has sent shockwaves throughout Mexico, as a man allegedly threw a dog into a pot of boiling oil, resulting in the animal's tragic death. Authorities have detained the suspect for the assault on the dog and have issued an additional arrest warrant on charges of…
Thrill-Seeking Tourist in Puerto Vallarta is Rescued After Parachute Accident on Los Muertos Beach Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - A woman was rescued after her parachute got entangled in a palm tree on the popular Los Muertos Beach in an incident that highlighted a growing concern over the lack of regulation in tourist activities in Puerto Vallarta. The incident unfolded during one of the city's burgeoning recreational pursuits frequently indulged…
It’s Getting a Little More Expensive for Americans Living in Mexico, Peso Surges to Over Seven-Year High Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - The Mexican peso reached its highest level in more than seven years on Friday, June 2, driven by positive employment data from the United States. The country's stock market also experienced a notable rise as fears of a recession in the US diminished. At the close of trading, the peso was…
Popocatépetl Volcano Exhibits Increased Activity; Yellow Phase 3 Alert Continues PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - In the past 24 hours, heightened activity was recorded from Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano, with an alarming 315 exhalations detected, accompanied by water vapor, other volcanic gases, and ash, according to the Scientific Advisory Committee (CCA) of the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC). Monitoring systems in place around the active stratovolcano also…
Puerto Vallarta Celebrates 105 Years as Municipality, 55 as City with Grand Anniversary Celebration PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - Puerto Vallarta, one of the nation's favorite tourist destinations, celebrated the 105th anniversary of its elevation to a municipality and its 55th year as a city with a solemn session held in the central courtyard of the city's presidency. Presiding over the commemorative event was Mayor, Professor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez,…
45 Bags of Human Remains Discovered in Jalisco PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - A chilling discovery of 45 bags filled with human remains in a deep ravine in the El Mirador del Bosque neighborhood of Zapopan has escalated the search for seven missing youths last seen at a local call center. The Jalisco Attorney General's Office confirmed late Wednesday that the gruesome discovery was…
Popocatépetl Volcano Remains Active with 219 Exhalations in 24 hours – June 1, 2023 PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - The Popocatépetl volcano, one of Mexico's most active, has continued to manifest its activity, with monitoring systems detecting 219 exhalations in the past 24 hours. These exhalations were accompanied by water vapor, other volcanic gases, and sometimes minimal amounts of ash, as depicted in recent images and video footage. The tremor…
Hurricane Season Commences with Potential Tropical Storm Arlene Impacting Mexico’s Weather PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - The first tropical cyclone of the season has formed, marking the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, as stated by the National Water Commission (Conagua) in Mexico. The depression, poised to evolve into Tropical Storm Arlene, is currently located 490 km from Fort Myer, Florida, United States, and 710 km from…
Mother Pleads for Expedited Investigation into Disappearance of Son Following Vallarta Pride Celebration PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – One week after the disappearance of 32-year-old Michel Rubén Castro Guizar, who attended the Vallarta Pride celebration in Puerto Vallarta, his mother Bacilia Guizar pleads with authorities to accelerate the investigation and search efforts. In an emotional press conference outside her house at 114 March 18th Street, October 12th neighborhood, Guizar…