Pope gives tough love to Mexico’s political, church elite

MEXICO CITY – Pope Francis challenged Mexico’s political and ecclesial elites Saturday to provide their people with security, justice and courageous pastoral care to confront the drug-inspired violence and corruption that are wracking the country, delivering a tough-love message to Mexico’s ruling classes on his first full day in the country.

The raucous welcome Francis received from an estimated 1 million cheering Mexicans who lined his motorcade route seven-deep contrasted sharply with his criticism of how church and state leaders here have often failed their people, especially the poorest and most marginalized.

“Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privileges or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, drug trade, exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death, bringing suffering and slowing down development,” he told government authorities at the presidential palace.

Francis challenged church leaders known for their deference to Mexico’s wealthy to denounce the “insidious threat” posed by the drug trade and not hide behind their own privilege and careers.

He told them to develop a coherent plan to help Mexicans “finally escape the raging waters that drown so many, either victims of the drug trade or those who stand before God with their hands drenched in blood, though with pockets filled with sordid money and their consciences deadened.”

The speech was met with tepid applause, with only a handful of bishops standing in ovation.

Francis’ entire five-day trip to Mexico is shining a spotlight on the church’s shortcomings and the government’s failure to solve entrenched social ills that plague the country.

Over the coming days, Francis will travel to the Mexico City suburb of Ecatepec, preach to Indians in Chiapas, offer solidarity to victims of drug violence in Morelia and pay respects to migrants who have died trying to reach the U.S. with a cross-border Mass in Ciudad Juarez.

The schedule appeared to be taking a toll: By Saturday evening, Francis seemed winded. He appeared to doze off during Mass and fell into a chair set up for him to pray before the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Francis, 79, had an exhausting two days, with back-to-back events, dozens of miles spent standing in his popemobile and a seven-hour time zone difference.