Germany’s Wadephul starts Mexico visit with basilica visit

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul began a visit to Mexico on Thursday with a stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the world’s largest Catholic pilgrimage sites.

After touring the basilica, Wadephul received a blessing from priest Victor Torres, spiritual leader of the Archconfraternity of Guadalupe, who had offered the blessing for the foreign minister and members of his delegation.

Located in northern Mexico City, the basilica attracts millions of pilgrims each year. According to Catholic tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Indigenous farmer Juan Diego in 1531 and instructed him to have a chapel built at the site. The Virgin of Guadalupe is regarded as Mexico’s patron saint, while Juan Diego was canonized by then-pope John Paul II in 2002.

Following the visit to the basilica, Wadephul was due to co-chair a meeting of the German-Mexican Binational Commission with Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco.

Germany views Mexico as a key partner in Latin America, including in efforts to support the international rules-based order.