Pope Benedict arrives to board a papal flight in Rome - using a walking stick for the first time.
The frail looking pontiff is setting off for a six-day visit to Mexico and Cuba - his first visit to Mexico and only his second visit to Latin America.
Mexico has one of the largest populations of Catholics in the world, second only to Brazil.
In Mexico's Leon city, final preparations were getting underway for his arrival.
At the opening of a new media centre in Leon, the Pope's Mexican representative, Christophe Pierre said there was much more to Mexico than its much-publicized violence.
He said there was a strong desire to live in harmony and the Pope would be encouraging people not to lose their way in life.
Many residents have also brought gifts for the pope, including several pairs of red leather shoes.
The city is famous for its leather products.
(SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) PATRICIA HERNANDEZ, VOLUNTEER, SAYING:
"The whole world can bring gifts. We have gifts from officials, from businessmen, from children, from families, all the world can bring gifts."
Some 300,000 worshippers are expected to descend on the city's Bicentennial Park for the Pope's mass on Sunday.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
