Pope ends Mexico trip with huge Mass on US border

[Judi Lynn]

Pope ends Mexico trip with huge Mass on US border
Published
17/02/2016

Pope Francis was wrapping up his trip to Mexico with a politically charged visit to the US border for a huge open-air Mass as he focused on problems of violence, exploitation and migration.

He also visited a prison - just days after a riot in another jail killed 49 inmates - and he urged decent treatment for workers in a city famed for low-wage assembly jobs.

The altar for Wednesday's Mass is snug against the US-Mexico border, with just a road between its edge and the Rio Grande. Clearly visible is the skyline of El Paso, Texas, where at least 30,000 people were expected at the Sun Bowl for a simulcast of the ceremony.

Francis was expected to stop at the border fence and give a blessing in honour of migrants on the other side, as well as those who died trying to get there.

More:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/pope-ends-mexico-trip-with-huge-mass-on-us-border-34461012.html

LBN:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141351542

[Judi Lynn]

1. The Latest: Pope says God will judge exploiters of workers

The Latest: Pope says God will judge exploiters of workers
Feb 17, 2:47 PM EST

. . .

1:20 p.m.

Pope Francis is warning that God will judge those who exploit workers and make them "slaves of our day," for their own profit.
During a visit to Ciudad Juarez, Francis urged employers to think of the type of Mexico they want to leave for their children.

"Do you want to leave them the memory of exploitation, of insufficient pay, of workplace harassment?" he asked. And he added, "What air will they breath? An air tainted by corruption, violence, insecurity and suspicion, or on the contrary an air capable of generating alternatives, renewal and change?"

Francis' meeting came on his final day in Mexico. He concludes it with a visit to the Texas border for a prayer for victims of human trafficking.

1:05 p.m.

Religious leaders and migrants rights advocates in the United States say Pope Francis' acknowledgment during his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border of the struggles of immigrants will send a humanitarian message.

More:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_POPE_THE_LATEST?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-02-17-14-47-43