Pope Francis arrives in Mexico City for 5-day visit

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Saturday, February 13, 2016

Pope Francis has landed in the Mexican capital for his first papal visit to Mexico in which he wants to convey a message of solidarity with the victims of violence and communities stuck in poverty.

Pope Francis has landed in the Mexican capital for his first papal visit to Mexico in which he wants to convey a message of solidarity with the victims of violence and communities stuck in poverty.

The pope arrived at Mexico City's international airport from Havana, where he had an historic meeting with the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox church.

Francis will tour Mexico, the most Catholic country in the Spanish-speaking world, through Wednesday. According to the most recent census, Mexico's percentage of Catholics has declined from 96 percent in 1970 to 83 percent in 2010.

Francis is scheduled to visit places most affected by poverty, violence and immigration.

Reporter Elissa Rivas is in Mexico City for the pope's visit. Watch for her reports on Eyewitness News and abc13.com.