ROME
7 News
ROME (AFP) – Pope Benedict XVI set off from Rome on an arduous journey to Latin America on Friday where he will address key issues including the Mexico drugs war and the evolution of Cuba’s communist regime.
The pontiff arrived at Rome’s Fiumicino airport by helicopter and was greeted by Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. The pope waved goodbye on the airplane steps before the Alitalia Boeing 777 took off at 0845 GMT.
He is expected to land in Mexico at 2230 GMT. …
But he is also likely to face criticism over the clerical abuse scandal.
In particular, he will face questions over the Vatican’s management of Mexico’s most famous offender, Marcial Maciel, the founder of the Legion of Christ, who before he died faced accusations that he had molested eight minors.
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