( CNN ) The choice of a word by Pope Francis has drawn ire from Mexico 's government . And on Wednesday , the Vatican told Mexico that the Pontiff meant no offense . In a private email to a friend , Francis had lamented increased drug trafficking in his native Argentina , using the term `` Mexicanization . '' `` Hopefully , we are still in time to avoid the 'Mexicanization . ' I was talking to some Mexican bishops and it 's a terrible situation , '' Francis allegedly wrote . Mexico 's chief diplomat took offense and said he would send a note of protest to the Pontiff over the term . `` We would like to express our sadness and concern about the statements made regarding a private letter from Pope Francis , '' said Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade . The ministry also contacted a Vatican diplomat . The Vatican 's secretary of state responded Wednesday and admitted to Pope Francis ' choice of words but said , `` The Pope did not in any way intend to offend the Mexican population , for whom he holds special affection , nor to underestimate the commitment of the Mexican government in its fight against narco-trafficking . '' The secretary said the expression was part of a `` private and informal email '' to a someone `` who had used this phrase . '' Mexican authorities have battled drug cartels for nearly 10 years , and more than 60,000 people have died in that fight , Human Rights Watch has said . Mexico is the main supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine in the United States , and 90 % of cocaine arriving in the country is trafficked through Mexico . In recent years , according to Foreign Policy magazine , Mexican drug cartels have expanded their activities into Argentina . CNN 's Rafael Romo and Hada Messia contributed to this report .
The Pope sent an email to a friend lamenting drug trafficking in his native Argentina . Mexico contacted a Vatican diplomat over the Pontiff 's choice of terms .