"We only hope the Apostolic Exhortation could be ready by July, 1998, so the Pope's visit to the Basilica could coincide with the Third World Meeting of Catholic Priests," said Monsignor Ortiz. The meeting, which will gather more than 5,000 priests from around the world, will take place from July 7 to 12 at the Guadalupe Basilica.
If the Holy Father accepts the Synod's proposal, Mexico would receive its fourth visit from the present pontiff. Pope John Paul visited Mexico in January 1979, May 1990, and August 1993. Mexicans celebrated the 466th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to Blessed Juan Diego on Friday. Between 3.5 to 4.5 million pilgrims converged on the basilica dedicated to the patroness of the Americas as they do every year.