The Pope, Benedict XVI, in an audience with the new Mexican ambassador to the Holy See, Federico Ling Altamirano,has affirmed Mexico’s efforts in favor of life and against drug trafficking problems, while calling for a deeper understanding of the citizen’s right to religious freedom.

The Pontiff recognized that Mexico’s identity has been shaped by years of “a fruitful relationship with the message of salvation proclaimed by the Catholic Church.”

“Faith in Jesus Christ has engendered a culture in Mexico that provides a specific and complete meaning for life, and a hopeful vision of existence, at the same time setting out a series of fundamental principles for the harmonious development of all society”.
-Pope Benedict XVI

In regards to Mexico’s fight to respect life, the Pope congratulated Mexico’s government for its 2005 decision to eliminate the death penalty and recent individual states decisions to maintain all forms of abortion illegal.

“One cannot insist enough on the fact that the right to life must be recognized fully. Governments must enact laws and public policies that “take into account the high value that a human being has at every moment of existence. In this regard, I welcome with joy the initiative of Mexico, which in 2005 eliminated its capital punishment legislation, as well as the recent actions some states have taken to protect human life from its beginning.
Pope Benedict XVI

Aknowledging under President Calderon’s administration the government has taken initiative to promote a more just social order and resolve serious problems such as violence, drug trafficking, inequality and poverty, “which can breed delinquency,“, the Pope said he prayed that Mexico would be able to face its current problems with courage and determination so the nation would “continue on the path of freedom, solidarity and social progress.”

He told the ambassador that an effective and lasting solution to such social problems also requires “moral renewal, the education of consciences and the building of a real culture of life.”

In all honesty, the Catholic Church and I parted ways years ago, but truth be told, the loss of traditional values and morals has taken a very negative toll on today’s society. These values we are losing, combined with poverty, lack of education, and general desperation has led to degeneration of our culture, youth, and nation.

The Catholic faith, shared by the vast majority of Mexicans, espouses values that Mexico needs in the process of “promoting justice, working for peace and reconciliation, encouraging honesty and transparency, combating violence, corruption and crime, caring constantly for human life and safeguarding human dignity.
Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict also called on the Mexican government to promote policies that assist families, both because they are a central value of the Mexican people and because strong families are essential for a strong nation.

While the Church and I may not see eye to eye on everything, there is no denying Pope Benedict’s last quote:

Families are “schools of respect and mutual understanding, seedbeds of human virtues and a motive of hope for the rest of society.”

May God help us and deliver us from evil.