Mexico City, Mexico - The sixth World Meeting of Families started Wednesday in Mexico City, in the presence of Mexican President Felipe Calderon. Some 7,500 pilgrims from 98 countries attended the opening ceremony alongside Calderon and high officials of the Roman Catholic Church.
For five days, families from around the world, 22 Roman Catholic cardinals and over 60 bishops and archbishops are set to take part in a Theological-Pastoral Congress.
Among other things, the gathering is set to feature Sunday a formal mass at the Guadalupe Basilica, the largest pilgrimage destination in the Americas.
A video message from Pope Benedict XVI is set to be broadcast at the mass, at which organizers expect an attendance of around 1 million people.
The pope himself declined to attend the gathering in Mexico Valley - over 2,000 metres above sea level - in line with his doctors' recommendations. He will be represented by Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone.