Mexico prepares for Pope Benedict's visit

LEON, Mexico -- One hundred fifty-thousand communion wafers? Check.

Campsites for 350,000? Check.

Three hand-embroidered papal souvenir sombreros? Check.

Official song? Check.

It takes a lot to prepare for the coming of the pope and the 3 million people the host Archdiocese of Leon says he is expected to draw. Facades must be spiffed; campgrounds must be sprayed for dengue-bearing mosquitoes.

The visit of Pope Benedict XVI, his first to Spanish-speaking Latin America, begins in just a week in Mexico's central state of Guanajuato, where he will spend three days and give an outdoor Mass for some 300,000 people before heading to Cuba on March 26.

In the Bicentennial Park in nearby Silao, hammers and heavy equipment pound out the contours of a massive stage large enough for a pop star's concert.

Maria de la Luz Yepez of nearby San Francisco del Rincon is overseeing the stitching and stretching of faux suede and velvet on three artisanal sombreros that will be given to Benedict. Each took three weeks to decorate by hand.

The Popemobile landed weeks ago, courtesy of an Alitalia flight, so it will be ready for the pontiff. The church's preparations include giving the 85-year-old pope a slow morning after arrival "to get over jet lag," said the Rev. Federico Lomardi, Vatican spokesman.

When he ventures out, he'll find cities that have put on a shine. -- AP