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Mexican Catholics Blame Themselves For Pope's Resignation

Mexican Catholics: "We Hold Some Of The Blame For Pope's Resignation"
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Deputy Editor HuffPost Latino Voices & Voces

Seller Jorge Sanchez shows an image of Pope Benedict XVI at a religious store near to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would resign Feb. 28, the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Seller Jorge Sanchez shows an image of Pope Benedict XVI at a religious store near to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would resign Feb. 28, the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Near a giant statue of Pope John Paul II at the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City, visitors greeted the news about Pope Benedict XVI's resignation with a mix of surprise, sadness -- and guilt. They admitted that they never really embraced the current pope the way they had Pope John Paul II. "We still carry the memory of Pope John Paul within us, so we hold some of the blame too," said Jose Antonio Aburto Zapata, a pilgrim from Veracruz, Mexico.

Millions come to Mexico City from all over the world, many walking for days or crawling in on their knees, to pay respect and ask for blessings from the Virgin of Guadalupe. They come to see the iconic image of the Virgin that many believe miraculously appeared on the cloak of farmer Juan Diego back in 1531. It now sits behind bulletproof glass in front of four rows of moving walkways inside the Basilica.

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