SW News: The Holy Father held a meeting with Mexican bishops on June 2 during their ad limina visit to the Holy See. During the conversation of the prelates with Pope Francis, they discussed the socio-political situation in the Latin American nation.

Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, the archbishop primate of Mexico, led the delegation of bishops to the Vatican. During the meeting with the pope, the top prelate said, the challenges facing his nation are the same as the ones facing the world in general. "For example, the change of era that has made it difficult to transmit the faith to the new generations,” said the cardinal.

He also shared with the pontiff his wish to offer the young generation the tools that are needed to grow on a path of freedom and develop their potential so that they find their true vocation.

Cardinal Retes expressed grave concern over the socio-political situation in Mexico which is worsening and he pointed out the social inequality and other problems.  "There is no sufficient harmony for political and social forces to agree on the good of society," he said.

The bishops also discussed the serious issue of migration which is plaguing Mexico—a transit nation to the United States and Canada. They briefed him about the work of the ministry of pilgrim houses to cater to the migrants. But the cardinal said that the sheer number of those aspiring to travel to the USA and Canada makes it difficult to meet their needs. "It is very difficult to manage to encourage them, to feed them, to give them shelter," said Cardinal Retes.

He said it was essential to join ranks to offer the possibility of a safe transit to migrants. They also told the Holy Father that they are working closely with the Catholic bishops of the United States and Canada to make the transit safer for migrants.

It was on April 26 that Pope Francis welcomed the first group of prelates from the northern parts of the nation such as Baja California, Bajio, Monterrey, Chihuahua, Durango, Hermosillo and San Luis Potosi.