Benedict targets ‘evil’ drugs gangs on Mexico trip

Pope Benedict XVI called for a fight against the “evil” of drug gangs in violence-plagued Mexico and “new models” in communist Cuba on his first trip to Spanish-speaking Latin America.

“We must do everything possible to fight this evil which destroys our young,” Benedict said, referring to drug gangs blamed for violence which has left about 50,000 dead in five years.

“We must unmask this evil, these false promises and lies,” he said en route to Mexico’s central state of Guanajuato last night.

In only his second trip to the world’s most Catholic continent, the Pope, who turns 85 next month, will visit Silao, Leon, and Guanajuato in Mexico until Monday, and then spend two days in Cuba, in Santiago de Cuba and Havana.

In Mexico — where 84% of the population has been baptised Catholic — the Pope is expected to tackle what the Church sees as threats to family values, as well as the rise of rival religious movements.

“Our great responsibility, is to teach our young moral responsibility” and turn them away from “the worship of money which enslaves men”, he said.

A massive billboard welcoming the Pope stood outside Guanajuato airport, where 3,500 guests, including mariachi musicians, traditional dancers and the president, Felipe Calderon, were to greet the pope.

“The Pope is arriving today, smile,” shouted dozens of youths lining up to welcome the Popemobile on its journey from the airport to the city of Leon.

About 700,000 visitors were expected in the region for the sixth papal visit to Mexico, following five by predecessor John Paul II.

“We’re happy. We know that the message the Pope is bringing is that something must change and hopefully this change will benefit families and society,” said Sr Rocio Garcia, rector of the Miraflores college in Leon, which will host the Pope.

The Pope is likely to face criticism over the clerical abuse scandal, particularly the Vatican’s management of Mexico’s most notorious offender, Marcial Maciel, the founder of the Legion of Christ order, who died in 2008.

Victims were disappointed that he had no plans to meet them.

In Cuba, the Pope seeks to follow in the footsteps of John Paul II, who was credited with strengthening the Church’s relationship with the communist state.