Pope celebrates mass at Mexico’s revered Basilica of Guadalupe

Feb 14, 2016

MEXICO CITY: Pope Francis celebrated mass yesterday at Mexico City’s iconic Basilica of Guadalupe where a momentary loss of balance elicited a gasp from the crowd.

After a busy morning of meeting with President Enrique Pena Nieto and speaking to Mexico's bishops, the pontiff rested at the nunciature before riding in the Popemobile through the streets of Mexico City. Thousands waved and cheered him as he arrived to the Basilica.

Some 5,000 spectators gathered inside the church, including President Pena Nieto, while at least five times as many gathered outside under the beating sun.

Francis had said he yearned to visit the Basilica of Guadalupe, which attracts millions of pilgrims from all over Latin America, and to reflect silently in front of her image. He had a message of inclusion for the parishioners.

“God awoke and awoke the hope of the lowly, of those who suffer, of the displaced and discarded, of all those that feel they do not have a dignified place in these lands. In this dawn, God comes closer and comes closer to the suffering but strong hearts of so many mothers, fathers, grandparents that have seen their children leaving, becoming lost or even being taken by criminals,” he said.

While inside a small niche behind the altar to venerate the icon, the Pope lost his balance and fell back into a chair, causing the crowd to gasp, although it did not seem serious. After praying for about 20 minutes, the 79-year-old pope, who suffers from sciatica in one leg, stood up and walked out. —Reuters