Pope Francis Speaks to Power — Pope Francis was received on Saturday morning in the National Palace by President Peña Nieto, the diplomatic corps, businessmen and representatives of the three branches of government, to whom he delivered his first speech. "Every time we seek the path of privilege or benefit of a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later, life in society becomes a fertile ground for corruption, drug trafficking, exclusion of different cultures, violence and even human trafficking, kidnapping and death, causing suffering and hampering development. It is the responsibility of the leaders of social, cultural and political life to offer all citizens the opportunity to become worthy agents of their own destiny."
Pope Asks Clergy Not to Be Corrupted, Face Challenge of Drug Trafficking — Pope Francis asked that clergy not be corrupted by the seductive illusions of under the table agreements, but rather that they offer a clean look and not be afraid of transparency. "Do not lose time and energy on secondary things, gossip and intrigue, in the vain projects of a career, in empty plans for hegemony, in infertile clubs of interest or cliques," he said. He also called on the bishops and priests of Mexico not to minimize the impact of drug trafficking on society, "I beg you, please do not underestimate the ethical and anticívic challenge that drug trafficking poses to youth and for the entire Mexican society, including the Church,"
Topo Chico Prison Riot Was Battle Between Two Factions of Los Zetas Cartel for Control of Prison— In 2012, the Mexican Army warned Rodrigo Medina de la Cruz [governor, 2009-2015] that, thanks to the complicity of prison authorities, in Topo Chico prison Los Zetas obtained some 15 million pesos [US$795,000] per month [average of 3,845 pesos or US$204 per each of 3,900 prisoners] via the collection of fees, drug sales and other businesses. A third of these funds were used to bribe guards, captains of the guards and directors of the detention center. The fight that occurred the night of February 10 was between two factions of the Zeta cartel for control of the prison and these funds.
Pope to Indigenous, ¨Forgive Us, Forgive Us" — In San Cristóbal, Chiapas, Francis gave a profound, critical homily in a gentle manner. The beginning could not have been more symbolic, with the Exodus, the classic text of liberation theology. He said, "A people who had experienced the slavery and despotism of Pharaoh, who had experienced suffering and abuse, until God says 'enough' until God says 'no more!' 'I have seen the affliction, I heard the cry, I've known your anguish' (Exodus 3:9). The face of our God was manifested, the Father's face that suffers seeing the pain, abuse, inequality in the lives of his children; and his word, his law, became a symbol of freedom. How well we would all do to do some soul searching and learn to say, 'Forgive us, forgive us, brothers!'"
Pope's Disappointing Visit — With expectations too high in various critical sectors of a society irritated by corruption, impunity, violence and official criminalization, Pope Francis' visit to Mexico has not shaken things up as hoped, nor has he given the authentic "note" or message worth remembering as a Catholic priest who professes to be a substantial, not only verbal, difference from his predecessors. In Mexico, he has not lived up to his fame as a humble Pope and a priest critical of the powerful. He has not directly addressed the country's concrete problems.