In February 2016, Pope Francis heads to Mexico. His visit is being so hotly anticipated people are illegally selling tickets for his public outings. He will also visit Chiapas state, where a meeting with Zapatistas could be historic, though highly unlikely. Before he set foot in Mexico he had already caused controversy with the government there by saying Mexico's violence and gangs make it like war for many. He will also possibly meet with the families of the 43 missing students from Ayotzinapa, who are furious at the government's failure to find their children or provide concrete answers to the case.

Americas Tour Info

If You Only Read One Thing...

2015: A Busy Year

In Ecuador, Francis seemed to endorse President Rafael Correa and his policies, telling him, "my best wishes for the achievement of your mission, that you achieve what you want to for the good of your people.” The pope also said that for Correa's work “serving Ecuador’s people,” he “may always count on the commitment and collaboration of the church.”

In Bolivia, too, the pontiff was greeted with coca leaves and a controversial communist crucifix. He showed appreciation for the socialist policies of President Evo Morales, saying that Bolivia is "taking important steps to include broad sectors in the economic, social and political life of the country.” He preached for solidarity and against exclusion at a large public mass. Importantly, he asked for forgiveness for the church's crimes in Latin America during the Spanish conquest.

In Paraguay, Francis recognized the struggle by the women of the country and pleaded for the end of corruption. In preparation for the visit, Paraguayans built an enormous altar made of corn and held protests to grab the pope's attention. Francis visited impoverished neighborhoods and also met with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community leaders

Francis praised Cubans' courage when he visited the Caribbean island in September 2015 and preached reconcilliation in a service, hinting at his role — explored below — in bringing Cuba together with the United States after over half a century of estrangement. He also urged the United States to end its economic blockade on the island. He met with revolutionary leader and former President Fidel Castro and also commented on Colombia's peace process, as talks have been taking place in Cuba for over three years to reconcile the government with the FARC rebels. Francis also gave a searing speech laying into the ills of capitalism while on the communist island.

President Barack Obama greeted the pope upon his arrival in the U.S., also in September 2015. Francis made some conservative enemies — see below for more — with his speeches there, in which he urged action on climate change and to end the death penalty. In Philadelphia, he urged an audience of immigrant communities to never forget their traditions. He also, controversially, canonized early Catholic settler Friar Junipero Serra, who is seen by some Indigenous communities as complicit in native genocide.

teleSUR Opinion and Analysis

The pope has been called some truly awful names by conservative commentators, especially in the United States, where Francis' messages have been slammed as communist and dangerous. Find out why below.

Why Do Conservatives Hate Pope Francis?

Pope's Impact on US-Cuba Relations

News that the United States and Cuba would work to restore diplomatic relations took the world by surprise in December 2014. In effect, U.S. President Barack Obama admitted that his country's half century attempt to defeat Cuba had failed. READ MORE

The Pope and Archbishop Arnulfo Romero

Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero is an icon of social struggle in both his native El Salvador and elsewhere in Latin America. He fought for human rights in the midst of a dictatorship, using his homilies to call for the reconciliation of the Salvadoran people and the end of repression. His work was finally recognized by the Catholic Church when he was beatified by Pope Francis in 2015. Read more here, and by clicking on the photo above.

teleSUR Shows on Pope Francis

Ñ Don't Stop

The Pope in Harlem

This week on #ÑDontStop we cover Pope Francis' visit to El Barrio and we have DJ Dacel from Santiago, Chile on a special #RooftopLive.

The Global African

The Pope’s Visit

What does Pope Francis' trip to the U.S. tell us about the state of the Catholic Church today? What are we to make of his progressive stances on the economy and the environment?

Interviews from Washington

Gail Walker of Pastors for Peace

Gail Walker of Pastors for Peace talks about what she sees as a new day in US-Cuba relations. As Pope Francis visits both countries, she hopes people will heed his message of love and mutual respect.

John Gehring on “The Francis Effect"

John Gehring, the Catholic Program Director of Faith in Public Life and author of the book, “The Francis Effect,” describes the Pope as a man who is shaking up the church by bringing the marginalized and the poor to the center of our global debates.

Action Aid USA and Climate Change and Pope’s Visit

Brandon Wu, senior policy analyst at Action AID USA talks about the effects of global warming, its disproportionate impact on the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world, the powerful interests behind it, the chances for reversing it, and his expectations for the Pope’s visit.

Inside the Americas

Pope Delivered Timely Message in Ecuador

Pope Francis gave a message of peace and economic justice in Ecuador, just when a national dialogue on wealth redistribution was underway amid right-wing violence. The pope told President Rafael Correa that his words were in line with his own way of thinking.

The Self Show

The Pope is Dope

Since being elected to his post of Popiest Pope of all the Popes just over nine months ago, Francis has laid out a litany of progressive ideas for the church’s future in the modern world.