Pope Sparks Anger in Mexico With Drug Comment

Francis noted concerns over 'Mexicanization' of Argentina drug trafficking
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 25, 2015 10:37 AM CST
Pope Sparks Anger in Mexico With Drug Comment
Pope Francis waves to faithful from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square, during the Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.   (Riccardo De Luca)

The Vatican sought today to defuse a diplomatic tiff with Mexico after Pope Francis referred to the possible "Mexicanization" of his native Argentina from drug trafficking, the latest instance of Francis' casual speaking style getting him into trouble. The Vatican said it had sent an official diplomatic note to Mexico's ambassador insisting that Francis "absolutely did not intend to offend the Mexican people" with the remark, or to detract from the government's anti-drug efforts. Francis made the reference in an email over the weekend to an Argentine friend and lawmaker, Gustavo Vera, who is involved in combating the drug trade. He published the pope's email on the website of his Alameda Foundation.

In the email, Francis wrote: "Hopefully we are in time to avoid Mexicanization." The Mexican government formally complained about the remark during a meeting with the Holy See's ambassador to Mexico and in a note of protest, saying the government was committed to battling drug cartels and that there was no benefit to "stigmatizing Mexico." The Vatican said the pope's words were contained in a personal, informal email to Vera and that Francis had merely repeated a phrase that Vera had used. "The pope intended only to emphasize the seriousness of the phenomenon of the drug trafficking that afflicts Mexico and other countries in Latin America," said the Vatican spokesman. (More Pope Francis stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X