Saturday, January 23, 1999 Published at 08:23 GMT
Mexico embraces the Pope
Many hope the Pope's visit will help the situation in Chiapas
Pope John Paul II arrived to an emotional welcome in Mexico on his fourth visit to the devoutly Roman Catholic country.
Chants of "John Paul II, the whole world loves you," echoed across the Benito Juarez International Airport as the pontiff's plane touched down.
The trip is expected to be John Paul's last and organisers say as many as four million people could cram into the city to participate in this weekend's services and get a glimpse of their religious leader.
On the flight from Rome, he told reporters he was looking forward to being steeped again in Mexican enthusiasm. "They don't let you sleep at night," he said.
The visit is his 85th foreign trip in a 20-year papacy that has taken in more than 100 countries.
But in recent years, the Church has been challenged by the growing number of Mexicans who have rejected it for the Evangelical church.
Vatican sources however say it is Mexico's overwhelming affection for the Pope that has drawn him back again.
Even the phone booths in the Mexican capital have been decked out in pictures of the Pontiff, with the slogan "Mexico siempre fiel" - Mexico always faithful.
The Pope has a busy schedule ahead of him.
During his visit, the Pope is due to outline the future strategy of the Roman Catholic Church in the Americas addressing moral issues like birth control and divorce and social issues such as poverty.
Mexico's clergy have become increasingly public critics of government policies, speaking out against political corruption and economic policies that they argue make the poor poorer, and the pope's visit will not lack controversy.
Around 40 Catholic churches have been forcibly closed by paramilitary groups in the troubled state. The government accuses a prominent bishop in Chiapas, Samuel Ruiz, of supporting the uprising by Zapatista rebels.
Vatican sources say the pope will not directly mention Chiapas, but he will voice his backing for human rights and social justice. "There will be no solution without recognition that the indigenous people were the first owners of the land," the pope told reporters on the flight to Mexico.
Our Mexico correspondent Peter Greste says the Chiapas Indians and Church authorities will interpret such words as a coded message of support.
An opinion poll published in Mexico's Universal newspaper showed 71.3% of those surveyed believed the Pope's visit could help improve the situation in Chiapas and 68% hoped it would improve the situation of the country.
Church planning for the visit has already come in for criticism. The authorities have been accused of resorting to rampant commercialism by allowing corporate sponsorship and official souvenirs. The Church says it has got to cover the costs somehow.
On Tuesday, the Pope will travel to the US city of St Louis, where he is scheduled to meet President Bill Clinton.