Cheering crowds, shadow of scandal for pope in Mexico

MEXICO: Pope Benedict XVI roused a crowd of young Mexicans and met with President Felipe Calderon Saturday, his second day in Mexico, overshadowed by complaints from victims of sexual abuse.

Crowds waved yellow and white Vatican flags as the Popemobile arrived in the steep streets of the colonial city of Guanajuato from neighboring Leon, in highly Catholic, central Mexico, where the pope is staying for three nights.

The 84-year-old pontiff, on his first visit to Spanish-speaking Latin America, celebrated a private mass Saturday before meeting with Calderon late afternoon.

They had been expected to tackle the issue of Mexico's raging drug violence and a Mexican debate on secularism.

The presidency said they had discussed a broad range of international issues, including the combat against organized crime and climate change.

Shortly before the meeting, victims of sexual abuse accused the Vatican of protecting a notorious Mexican priest for decades, and expressed frustration that Pope Benedict XVI would not meet them in Mexico, at a news conference.

AFP