October 15, 2011. (Romereports.com) The pope invited all ambassadors from Latin American countries to celebrate their nation's 200th independence anniversary. The celebration will take place on a day that's very special to the continent.  December 12th is the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, know as the patroness of the Americas. The day will be celebrated with a Mass in Spanish, held in St. Peter's Basilica.


Arch. Carlos Aguiar
President, Episcopal Council of Latin America
"The pope does it to join in the celebrations of the Bicentennial, to thank God for the freedom of our peoples, their autonomy, their independence, their long journey over these last 200 years."

The idea came from the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, which is the ministry department  responsible for this continent. Their mission has been welcomed by Latin America, where 40 percent of the world's Catholics live.  

Arch. Carlos Aguiar
President, Episcopal Council of Latin America
"We received this news with great joy and gratitude to the Pope for welcoming this celebration."
 
Most Latin American countries gained their  independence from Spain and Portugal between 1810 and 1814. But as a whole, the process started even before with the independence of Haiti in 1804. The continent's complete independence took place in 1898 when the island of Cuba became independent.


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