Pope Prays for Mexico After 43 Students Burned Alive by Drug Traffickers

Pope Francis has said he is praying for and close to the people of Mexico after 43 Mexican students were burned alive in Iguala, in the southern state of Guerrero. 

"I would like to raise a prayer and draw close in our hearts to the people of Mexico, who are suffering from the loss of these students and many similar problems," the Pope said in a message to Spanish pilgrims during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. "May our hearts be close to them, in prayer at this time".

The Archdiocese of Mexico City has issued a statement in response to the disappearance of 43 trainee teachers, saying the "evil that Mexico suffers is a true decomposition of the social fabric, an evil from which no sector of the country escapes."

“The seriousness of the crisis demands a deep replanting of our morals, our laws and the social and political organization of our homeland."

“It is necessary to reconstruct the country. It is urgent that there be a commitment from all sectors of society to combat the immorality, impunity, corruption and cynicism that has our nation on its knees and covered in shame. The political class has showed itself to be unworthy and their parties have shown themselves to be totally incompetent for such a large task”.

The trainee teachers went missing on September 26 in Iguala, 120 miles south of Mexico City. The crime is thought to be a result of political collusion with drug cartels.