Mexico is celebrating the bicentennial of its independence. The pope wrote to Archbishop Cabrera, chairman of the bishopric of the country, mentioning that Our Lady of Guadalupe not only promotes Mexico, but also promotes brotherhood and peace in the Americas.
(Vatican News Network)“Celebrating independence is affirming freedom, and freedom is a grace and a permanent result of striving for.” Pope Francis wrote to the bishopric president of the country’s bishopric Rogelio Cabrera Lopez on the opportunity to celebrate the bicentennial of the declaration of independence in Mexico. He wrote, “This is a good time to consolidate the foundation and once again certainly constitute a country’s values.”
The Pope pointed out that “to consolidate our foundations requires rereading the past and paying attention to the bright and dark sides that have shaped the country’s history”. Rereading the past is a “memory purification process”, that is, admitting mistakes made in the past is very painful. The Pope mentioned that he himself and his predecessors “begged for forgiveness for personal and social faults, for all actions or omissions that did not contribute to the evangelization”.
In addition, the Pope explained that we cannot ignore the recent actions taken against the Christian sentiment of the majority of the Mexican people, which caused deep suffering. The Pope further stated that instead of staying in the pain of the past, measures must be taken to “heal wounds, cultivate open dialogue and respect among differences, and build the brotherhood that they desire, placing public interest in individual interests, tensions and situations. Above the conflict”. The Pope emphasized that looking backwards is also a way to consolidate the foundation and reaffirm the values of the Mexican people, such as independence, unity and religion.
The Pope finally mentioned that “in another ten years, the 500th anniversary of the Apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe will be celebrated”. He urged everyone to look at the Virgin, “The Virgin is not only in Mexico, but also throughout the Americas, promoting brotherhood and freedom, harmony and the standardization of the Christian message.” The Pope wishes that the Virgin Mary will continue to be a “reliable guide” for all.
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