Beloved Pope to Become Mexican Saint?

April 2 marks the death day of Mexico’s beloved Pope John Paul II. The spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, John Paul’s kindness and genuine concern for the world’s least fortunate human beings inspired people of many faiths. Known as “the people’s Pope” and the “pilgrim Pope,” the white-haired, seemingly frail pontiff was one of the most influential and best-traveled world leaders in history. During his lifetime, John Paul made five visits to Mexico, where he blessed millions of people strung out along parade routes and during huge, open-air Masses.

Born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in 1920, the first Polish pope mastered some half dozen languages in addition to his native language. Like previous popes, John Paul spoke out against abortion, birth control, and war; but he also routinely preached against materialism and substituting capitalism for spirituality rooted in community involvment.

John Paul beautified (the first step toward sainthood) more people than any other pontiff. Among them was Juan Diego Cuautlatoatzin, the peasant to whom Mexico’s pride and joy and patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, appeared on several occasions. John Paul II himself (known as Juan Pablo Segundo in the Spanish-speaking world) was put on a fast track to sainthood by his successor, Pope Benedict XVI.

Mexico's Growing Problem

The current trend away from a natural, simple diet of corn, beans, and vegetables such as squash is contributing to Mexico’s rapidly expanding obesity problem. According to a recent study cited in the San Diego Union-Tribune, approximately 68 percent of Mexicans are obese. That makes Mexico the second-fattest nation on earth, after its close neighbor, the United States. Directly linked to obesity, diabetes is the leading cause of death in Mexico.

Like the Americans, Mexicans eat too much junk food and don’t get enough exercise. The problem is greatest among urban Mexicans, where even extremely poor people can be seen munching Doritos and giving toddlers sips of Coke. Fast-food is everywhere, and while more expensive and less nutritious than whole foods, it is also more convenient and accessible.

A 2000 study by the Mexican Health Foundation et al, pegged Mexico’s obese urban population at 21 percent. If the current trend continues, Mexico will have more gorditos than any other country in the world by 2018. As the population expands (in both number and girth), subway trains, buses and even big city streets feel increasingly crowded.

Welcome to the Mexico Guru

We want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Mexico Guru Blog. Travel Writer, Jane Onstott and webmaster, Pat Cordes have been friends since the 70s and met up again a few years ago at Pat's home in San Blas, Mexico. They decided to do a website about Mexico - and what a website! Our goal is simple: to provide the best website there is about Mexico - all of Mexico!

We have been at it now for almost 2 years. So far, we have photos and articles about over 70 different locations. No, we don't copy or data from other sites or make things up - we actually go to the places! What fun. We have just added a complete section on Copper Canyon with articles about the Copper Canyon Train, Los Mochis, El Fuerte, Creel and Batopilas. I took this trip myself a few years back and it is not to be missed.