Pope upholds Mexico’s commitment “in favor of family and life”

Pope Francis demonstrated his support to the “commitment pledged by the Mexican church and civil society in favor of family and life”, after his traditional prayer of The Angelus in St. Peter’s square.

The Pope’s support is made known after supporters, from the National Pride Front, and opponents, from the National Front for the Family, of same-sex marriage participated in a mass demonstration yesterday in Mexico City as a reaction to president Peña Nieto’s initiative to acknowledge same-sex marriage presented last May.

“I embrace the view of the Mexican bishops in their support to the commitment pledged by the Mexican church and civil society in favor of family and life, these items certainly require of special pastoral and cultural attention worldwide”. 

He added: “I offer my prayers for the dear people of Mexico for the halt of the violence that has struck some priests during the last days.” According to data from the Multimedia Catholic Center, 14 priests have been murdered in Mexico since late 2012.

The Pope’s reference to the violence against members of the church follows the disappearance of a Mexican priest denounced by the clergy authorities and the kidnapping and murder of other two priests.