Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 4, 2008 / 02:43 am
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain on early Thursday morning visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe before meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon at the end of his three-day Latin America visit aimed at promoting free trade.
McCain said has he planned to seek President Calderon’s help in addressing illegal immigration, the Associated Press says.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is Mexico’s holiest Catholic site. Catholic and Hispanic voters are expected to be key swing voters in the November presidential election.
Catholic political analyst Deal Hudson commented on McCain’s visit to the Basilica, saying:
“I'm very glad he is doing this -- I was hoping at some point President Bush would make such a trip and visit the Shrine. It's an exceedingly powerful place for anyone who visits there, as I found out on my pilgrimage in the fall of 2004. No one can come away from the Shrine without a better understanding of the Catholic Church, and if you are Catholic, a deeper understanding of your faith.”