Pope Francis meets with people in Mexico City

Estimated 30,000 people crowd outside basilica to greet pope

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – With his first full day in Mexico City under his belt the pope is ready to travel to other parts of the country starting Sunday.

But his plate was full Saturday, taking time to tackle government corruption and walk among the Catholic faithful.

Pope Francis presided over mass at Mexico City's historic Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. An estimated 30,000 people crowded outside the basilica to greet the Pope and hear his message, which focused on loving and paying attention to the poor. The mass was the last event on what was a busy day for the pope.

Earlier he greeted and blessed the other throngs of people waiting to see him in Mexico City. This pontiff, known for his personal connection to his followers, got up close and personal with his adoring flock.

"The day that I saw him wash the feet of those people that were terrorists and all that, it's just a life-changing moment for me," said one man who traveled from Costa Rica to see the pope. "He's just an incredible man. He's a life-changing pope, he's reforming the church, and I think that he's absolutely wonderful."

Armando Arevalo, of Mexico City, brought his baby girl, Valentina, for a very special reason.

"It's a special day because today is Feb. 13. In three days will be her first year and this is my gift," Arevalo said.

Earlier the pope met with Mexico's bishops and held a special meeting with government officials. He pulled no punches, urging them to curb corruption that has been so detrimental to the people of Mexico. It was a papal message the people were happy to hear.

"I think it's good because we need this type of message," said Sanda Rojas, who traveled from the Mexican city of Monterey to see the Pope. "There is too much corruption in the government and it is not fair. There is too much corruption in the government."

Sunday, the pope boards a helicopter to fly to the city Ecaptapec, where he will hold Mass and have lunch at a seminary. It is is the second of five cities the pope plans to visit during his stay in Mexico.


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