The Pope is coming to Mexico -- this time with enough sponsors to cause a severe outbreak of envy in any commercial enterprise. While the need for financial support may be real enough, the style and the implications are troubling. PNS commentator Jesus Martinez is an immigrant researcher and activist who was formerly a member of the Political Science Department at Santa Clara University.

I admit I am not the most devout of Roman Catholics, but even the least devout are bound to be outraged by the new church policy of selling corporate sponsorship of the Pope's visits.

Comfortably seated at my home in Mexico, watching the evening news, I noticed one more of what seem like twenty million tedious television spots announcing the January 22-26 visit by John Paul II. Network competition over coverage of the event has led to the production of absurd commercials depicting the Pope as an entity capable of everything from saving babies on the verge of death to helping stranded motorists. I was ready to turn my head until the annoyance ended.

However, this ad quickly attracted my attention because it presented an informative message from a smiling Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico. But after his message ended, instead of a return to the news or a switch to some other commercial, the ad continued. Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected to learn A POTATO CHIP COMPANY WAS SPONSORING THE AD AND THE POPE'S VISIT!

Moreover, the company announced a special edition of their snack food, featuring papal trading cards in each bag of crunchy chips.

El Papa (the Pope) selling papas (potatoes)?

The next day, I found out 25 corporations had been designated "official collaborators," including the aforementioned enterprise and other transnationals that sell soft drinks, computers, banking services, and automobiles. Apparently, they make donations that are 75% in kind and 25% in cold, hard cash.

As I well know, parishes, schools, universities and other institutions and programs of the Catholic Church rely on the generosity of individuals, governments and businesses. A lifetime of membership in the Mexican nation, a profoundly Catholic nation, and over a decade of exposure to a Jesuit university as student and faculty member, have made me realize that outside funds are needed to build classrooms and reconstruct parishes damaged by earthquakes.

In return, it is generally accepted that donors receive plaques, grateful letters, and even halls named after them. However, I do find sponsoring the Pope borders on the sacrilegious, or at least the ridiculous. I mean, what is next? Will sneaker manufacturers engage in a bidding war to make the Pope one of their exclusive stars? Will he start wearing a brand-name baseball cap (backwards, of course)? Will the Popemobile be plastered with ads for the next Godzilla movie?

These commercials reflect an attempt to reshape Mexican politics. Association with entrepreneurs strengthens the alliances between conservative factions within the Church and the private sector at a time when government leaders have demonstrated a remarkable incapacity to address the numerous crises affecting the nation.

In the new context, the Church is reasserting a presence diminished as a consequence of the 1910 Revolution. Entrepreneurs are also venturing more directly into national politics -- directly as candidates for office and also as cohesive, well-funded, special interest groups. The impact of these two forces will be felt in the course of next year's presidential election.

For now, the collaboration between the religious, entrepreneurial and political elites has made John Paul II the hottest ticket in town. The press is already reporting that anxious buyers are willing to pay from 5 to 10 thousand pesos ($500 to $1,000) to see him. Under the circumstances, the Church's attempt to convince people that it is not right to profit from the Papal visit -- by asking them not to forge or sell the free tickets -- may prove a hard message to deliver.

I am going to follow the advice -- and skip the chips next time I am at the grocery store.