President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo held a phone conversation with Pope Leo XIV, during which she reiterated her official invitation for the pontiff to visit Mexico. The call took place on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe — one of the most significant dates for the Mexican people.
Through her social media accounts, the president shared highlights from the dialogue with the Catholic Church leader. “We agreed that, beyond any individual’s religion and the secular nature of the State, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a symbol of identity and peace for all Mexicans,” she stated.
During the call, President Sheinbaum was accompanied by Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez and Roberto Velasco Álvarez, Undersecretary for North America and acting head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both have been overseeing diplomatic efforts to formalize the invitation.
It is worth recalling that on May 18, 2025, Rosa Icela Rodríguez personally delivered the official invitation letter to Pope Leo XIV during the ceremony marking the beginning of his pontificate. With this renewed communication, the Mexican government aims to strengthen ties of mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation with the Vatican.
President Sheinbaum emphasized that the invitation reflects the acknowledgment of the historical and cultural role that the Virgin of Guadalupe plays in Mexican identity. She reaffirmed that her administration is committed to promoting a secular, plural, and inclusive state that fosters understanding among different faiths and cultures.
