Cardinal Pietro Parolin has confirmed that Leo XIV is considering making an apostolic visit to Mexico, although no date has been set yet. The Vatican Secretary of State stated this in an interview with Desde la fe during his stay in the country, in which he also called on Catholics to show consistency between the faith they profess and their concrete decisions in everyday life.
«I know that the Holy Father has also considered the possibility of a visit to Mexico. So, a date will be set later», Parolin said. The cardinal took for granted that the trip will eventually take place, although without specifying when: «The visit to Mexico will also happen, but the timing has not yet been determined».
Parolin calls on Catholics to show consistency between faith and life
When asked what should distinguish a Mexican Catholic in their family, work, and public life, Parolin focused his response on a basic requirement: living in accordance with the faith one professes.
«The faithful, the Christian, the Mexican Catholic should be a consistent Christian», he stated.
For the Secretary of State, the Gospel must also illuminate ordinary decisions and not be relegated to specific moments or areas of life. Parolin specifically mentioned work, relationships with others, and the use of money.
«Am I embodying the Gospel at this moment? In this choice I am making in my work, in my relationship with others, in the use of money, am I living the Gospel, my Catholicism, my Christian faith?», he asked.
The cardinal extended this requirement beyond Mexico. «I believe this is the fundamental point for Mexico and for all countries of the world: consistency in living one’s own faith», he affirmed.
Church and State in the face of the violence affecting Mexico
Parolin’s visit included meetings with civil authorities, bishops, and representatives of the National Dialogue for Peace. The Secretary of State described his meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum as «very fruitful» and pointed to peacebuilding and attention to migrants as two areas in which the Church and the State can collaborate, respecting the competencies of each.
The issue becomes particularly relevant in light of problems such as violence, disappearances, forced displacement, and social fragmentation affecting various regions of Mexico.
«No one can solve this problem alone. It is a problem of such magnitude that it requires the collaboration of all. The Church and the State can collaborate a great deal», Parolin stated.
The Secretary of State also noted that Rome expects the involvement of all members of the Church in this task. «The Holy See expects all components of the Church to engage in this mission», he said, thus including bishops, priests, religious, and laity.
Parolin also rejected equating peace with the mere absence of conflict. «Peace is possible, but peace is not the absence of conflict; peace is the overcoming of conflicts», he explained.
The specifically Christian contribution, he noted, lies in what belongs to the Church’s own mission: the Gospel, the Word of God, the sacraments, and fraternity.
Guadalupe 2031: ensuring the anniversary is not reduced to celebrations
Another issue addressed was the fifth centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint Juan Diego, which will take place in 2031. Parolin highlighted that the Guadalupian event transcends Mexican borders and recalled that from it «a believing people was born».
The cardinal called for the preparation of the anniversary not to be limited to commemorative events, but to produce concrete fruits in the life of the Church and in its evangelizing mission.
«It should not be left only at the level of celebration, which is indeed necessary, it is part of our life and our faith to have celebratory moments, but we must try to translate all this into very concrete initiatives at different levels», he stated.
Parolin pointed in this regard to parishes, movements, and communities as areas in which the anniversary can serve to strengthen Christian life, communion, and evangelization.
The figure of Saint Juan Diego also served the Secretary of State to summarize his message to Mexican Catholics: like the indigenous saint, they are called to be bearers of a message. But that proclamation, Parolin insisted, begins with the witness of a life consistent with the faith one professes.