Anonymous Hacks Christian Websites in Mexico: " Pope Is Not Welcome, out Out!!!!!"

By Jacob Kleinman
International Business Times
March 21, 2012

www.ibtimes.com/articles/317420/20120321/anonymous-hacks-christian-website-pope-proxy-twitter.htm

Anonymous Hispano, the Mexican branch of the online hacktivist collective based in Latin America lay siege to two Mexican websites on Tue, March 20 in protest of Pope Benedict XVI’s upcoming visit in an cyber-operation referred to as #opFariseo (hypocrite) on Twitter. The hackers succeeded in temporarily knocking the websites offline and defacing them with their own message: "Hacked system. The POPE is not welcome, out out!!!!!"

Anonymous Hispano, the Mexican branch of the online hacktivist collective based in Latin America lay siege to two Mexican websites on Tue, March 20 in protest of Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit in an cyber-operation referred to as #opFariseo (hypocrite) on Twitter. The hackers succeeded in temporarily knocking the websites offline and defacing them with their own message: "Hacked system. The POPE is not welcome, out out!!!!!"

Both hacked websites were linked to the Pope's planned visit to the country this Friday through Monday, before the religious leader continues his tour in Cuba. The website of the Achdiocese of Mexico was down for several hours on Tue. March 20 as was the website of the Institute of Communications and Philosophy (Comfil), which is usually devoted to teaching philosophy.

On their Facebook page, Anonymous Hispano confirmed that the websites were "hacked for supporting Benedict XVI). In a corresponding YouTube video the hacktivists claimed that the Pope's visit was connected to political campaigning for the upcoming Mexican presidential elections on July 1, and is an effort to throw the Catholic Church's support behind the current ruling party and to "keep the population shrouded in lies."

They also argue that the Pope's visit will not include any chances to witness the country's intense poverty and violence. Instead he will only see "a country of lies and facades where everything will apparently be wonderful."

In an explanatory message on Pastebin in Spanish, Anonymous Hispano posted a manifesto of sorts, titling the cyber-attack "Operation Freeloader," in a reference to the Pope. The message goes on to state that the collective believes Mexico should be a secular nation, and described the alliance of church and state in Mexico as an "irrefutable fact." (Read the full translated message below).

Anonymous has conducted operations in Mexico before, targeting the notorious drug cartels in the past when members of the hacktivist collective were held captive by the Mexican warlords.