``There will be no solution [in Chiapas] without recognition that the indigenous people were the first owners of the land,'' the Pope told reporters aboard his plane en route from Rome to Mexico City. He also stressed the need for dialogue and cautioned against transforming Marxist liberation theology into ``indigenous theology.''

Speaking about one of the most watched of all his foreign pilgrimages, the Pope said he was ``relatively pleased'' with progress since he visited Cuba a year ago, and pointed to the restoration of Christmas as an official holiday on the communist island. He noted that he was invited to make a stop there on this trip, but said the schedule had already been arranged.