Juan Diego Is Symbol for Indians, Papal Envoy Says

MEXICO CITY, JAN. 20, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Juan Diego, the 16th-century visionary of the Virgin of Guadalupe, is a model for all Indians, says Cardinal Roger Etchegaray.

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That was the message the papal envoy gave the press on Saturday, the last day of his visit to Mexico. He had just visited the Basilica of Guadalupe, a few hours before his departure for Rome.

«I have come to find Juan Diego´s family in all Indian groups and now, on the last day, I am in the shrine and I come to see the Mother,» the papal envoy explained.

Unofficial Vatican sources revealed last week that John Paul II is planning to canonize Juan Diego in Mexico, at the end of July.

Cardinal Etchegaray´s trip to Mexico began with a visit to the Indian communities of the state of Chiapas, where the Zapatista uprising began in 1994. The cardinal´s week continued with meetings with bishops, Catholic communities, businessmen and other social leaders.

He also met President Vicente Fox and talked, in particular, about the nation´s Indians.

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