EDITORS NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS LANGUAGE THAT MAY BE DEEMED OFFENSIVE<br/> <br />As the Pope kicked off his three-day visit in Mexico, protesters in the capital gathered to denounce the Catholic Church.<br/> <br />Gay rights and women's rights activists joined the demonstration at Mexico City's Independence Monument.<br/> <br />They said they were not convinced of the pope's message of peace.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF "GUERRILLA GAY" GROUP JAVIER LIZARRAGA SAYING:<br/> <br />"For 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has been persecuting, killing, imposing fines and criminalising us. They've made whistle-blowers of us. We have had it with nuns, priests, and all churches when they act against human rights, against Jesus' word."<br/> <br />Much to the ire of the church in the world's second most populous Catholic nation, Mexico city is a liberal bastion where gay marriage is recognised and abortion is available on demand.<br/> <br />One women's rights advocate brought up the child abuse scandals concerning the Vatican, and said the Catholic Church should not be casting the first stone.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST, YARA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"They accuse women who have abortions and they tolerate priests who rape and commit acts of pedophilia. In reality they are very hypocritical, I am completely against someone else deciding what I do with my body. We are here to demand our right to choose."<br/> <br />Pope Benedict will not be going to Mexico City, starting his visit instead in the religious stronghold of Leon in Guanajuato.<br/> <br />His trip is aimed at rallying the faithful, and upon arriving, he pledged to unmask the evil of drug trafficking, in a country ravaged by gang violence.<br/> <br />Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.
