Pope offers his blessing to handicapped children in Mexico

Leon, Mexico, Mar 24, 2012 / 15:17 pm

Following his first speech in Mexico on March 23, Pope Benedict XVI drew near to the faithful who awaited him on the runway of the International Airport of Guanajuato. Among those he greeted were handicapped children with Down Syndrome, whom he blessed and showed signs of affection.

Accompanied by President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala, Pope Benedict greeted the children with Down Syndrome and the handicapped who, with the help of volunteers, sought to draw close and take pictures.

One by one, the Pope gave them his blessing, stretching out his hand and kissing their cheeks as a sign of affection and fatherly love.

Previously, before the welcome speech, the Pope received a group of indigenous children dressed in traditional clothing. 

Among the children were Gilberto Moreno Vasquez and Araceli Esteban Lorenzo, both eight years of age and from the municipality of Cochoapa El Grande, which is located in the high region of Montaña de Guerrero. It is one of the poorest areas of the region.

Upon finishing this first meeting with the Mexican people, the Pope returned to the airport. He was accompanied by his entourage as well as Church and civil authorities, on the way to Colegio Miraflores where he will spend the night.