The attack showed the challenges of church-state relations in a country plagued by polarized politics and violence and suffering through shortages of everything from food to medicines to Communion wine for celebrating Mass.

"Social conservatism definitely played a role, not only with the bishop's pastoral letter, but more so because of the perceived liberalism of the PRI in general."

The missing students' case has caused consternation in Mexico and attracted enormous international attention.

An editorial March 5 in the archdiocesan publication Desde la Fe wondered if the pope had been properly briefed on Mexican matters prior to his Feb. 12-17 visit.

Turning to God in one-time crime capital Ciudad Juarez.

"This is evidence of our reality," Bishop Ramon Castro said outside the home of slain Mayor Gisela Mota in Temixco. "I've been saying it for some time and pleading, and no one has been able to do anything." He said Mota's murder sends the message, "If you don't cooperate with organized crime, look at what's going to happen to you."

"The Argentine Catholic Church will get along much better with Macri than with the Kirchners," said Fernando Farias, a journalist and analyst with Argentine public radio in Buenos Aires. "I think that the Catholic Church, with a friendlier government in office, is going to try to advance conservative policies."

Millions of Mexicans descend annually on the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, especially for the feast day Dec. 12, with many making pilgrimages on bike or arriving on foot from the surrounding states. The devotion shows few signs of fading while growth in the United States, through immigrant communities, is strong.

"The probability is very high that he comes to Juarez," said Father Hesiquio Trevizo, spokesman for the Diocese of Ciudad Juarez.

Pope Francis is expected to stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, the world's most visited Marian shrine. States mentioned for visits include Michoacan to the west of Mexico City, where outward migration has been strong for generations.