Pope Francis has told prisoners in a notorious Mexican prison to become 'prophets' and to use their experiences through 'hell' to help the country break its cycle of violence.

Francis made his plea at the state penitentiary of Ciudad Juarez, a city once known as the world's murder capital, days after a riot killed 49 inmates at another Mexican prison.

The pope often visits prisons during his trips abroad and he chose the 3,000-capacity state prison of Ciudad Juarez for the last day of this five-day visit to Mexico.

He visited its newly-painted chapel and addressed hundreds assembled in the prison yard, telling them they should use their experiences to help 'put end to this cycle of violence and exclusion.'

'The one who has suffered the greatest pain, and we could say "has experienced hell," can become a prophet in society.' he said.

The pope argued that a country's security problem 'is not resolved only by incarcerating,' arguing that the structural and cultural causes of crime must be addressed.

On the eve of his arrival last week, a brawl erupted between inmates fighting for control of a prison in the northern city of Monterrey, killing each other with bats and shivs.
Source :AFP