Guadalupe virgin produces Clinton gaffe

MEXICO CITY, March 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton revealed her lack of understanding about one of the Catholic Church's most well-known religious artifacts in Mexico.

During a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City last Thursday, Clinton was given a close-up look at the cloak of St. Juan Diego, on which the faithful say the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, miraculously imprinted her image in 1531.

The Catholic News Agency reported Clinton asked the basilica's rector, "Who painted it?"

"God!" replied Msgr. Diego Monroy.

The secretary of state left a bouquet of white flowers "on behalf of the American people" near the relic and then lit a green candle at a nearby area set aside for people to light votive candles.

The news agency said Clinton later told some of the Mexicans gathered outside to greet her, "You have a marvelous virgin!"