Pope talks of peace in Guatemala visit

GUATEMALA CITY -- Pope John Paul II arrived in Guatemala Monday afternoon bringing a message of "peace and reconciliation" to a country where violence and threats against Catholic human rights activists are increasing six years after the end of a 36-year civil war.

"This celebration should be a true moment of grace and renewal for Guatemala," the pope said at an airport arrival ceremony. Although he spoke in a relatively clear voice, his fragile health was evidenced by the custom-made lift that was used to lower him gently from his plane.

"I fervently hope that the noble Guatemalan people, who thirst for God and for spiritual values, who are anxious for peace and reconciliation, solidarity and justice, may live and enjoy the dignity which is theirs," the pope said in Spanish.

The pope, making his third visit to this Central American nation, arrived here from Toronto.

Waving and occasionally smiling, the 82-year-old pontiff made his way through the city in his locally made popemobile: a pickup truck fitted with a bulletproof glass cap housing an elevated, leather seat.

More than 500,000 people are expected to attend a Mass today at which the pope will canonize Guatemala's first saint, Pedro de San Jose Betancur, a 17th century Franciscan missionary who was a pioneer in health care and literacy efforts.

As the pope traveled here, church officials said that at least 23 young Cubans from a group that had come to Canada to see him had decided not to return home.

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