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Blake, Wm. 'Christ the Mediator,' Christ Pleading Before the Father for St. Mary Magdalene. 1799.

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Mexico’s Catholic bishops are taking matters into their own hands, sitting down with drug trafficking leaders to mediate peace amid escalating violence.

The hopes of the church leaders include negotiating truces and pushing for a national anti-crime strategy overhaul before the upcoming presidential election.

President López Obrador supported the church’s mediation, a shift from his criticism of previous drug war strategies. Experts have stressed the need for a multifaceted approach involving government, church, and community efforts.

Bishop Ramón Castro: “We are witnessing incredible violence against our people. This has moved the hearts of the pastors to do something—to not just stand there with our arms crossed.”