In his last day in Mexico, Pope Benedict XVI called on Catholics to return to the roots of their faith, and recommended that Mexicans turn to the Virgin of Guadalupe for the strength they need to face the country’s long list of social problems.

“In these moments in which so many families are divided by migration, in which so many suffer from poverty, corruption, domestic violence, drug trafficking…or criminality, [seek] Mary for strength, hope and council,” the Pope said, while officiating a mass in Parque Bicentenario, near Guanajuato, attended by more than 400,000 people.

The statement was made toward the end of the hour-long mass, shortly after the Pope was presented with an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a religious figure that is revered across Mexico.

The Pope did not elaborate on what policies Mexico’s political leaders –who are mostly Catholic- could implement to help solve the above problems.

Throughout his visit to Mexico he has only talked rarely and in general terms about political issues facing the country.

Earlier on, during the homily that follows a passage of the gospel, Benedict XVI stuck largely to faith issues, calling on his flock to open their hearts to God.

“We must ask Christ to give us a pure heart, where he can inhabit as the prince of peace,” the German-born Pope said.

Read the full story at Univision News