John McCain (web|news|bio) toured Mexico's holiest Roman Catholic site and received a blessing from its monsignor Thursday, the final day of a three-day Latin America tour. The Republican presidential hopeful was meeting later with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, where immigration and trade were to top his agenda. McCain had a similar meeting with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe on the first leg of the tour. McCain began the day at Mexico City's famed Basilica de Guadalupe, where he laid a wreath of white roses at the altar and stood atop the Papal balcony. He was accompanied by President Bush (web|news|bio) 's brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who was visiting Mexico on a business trip.

"I think he's going to win," Bush said of McCain's chances against Democrat Barack Obama (web|news|bio) . "He just needs to be himself and not let Sen. Obama redefine himself."

McCain's visit to the Basilica had clear political overtones as Catholic and Hispanic voters are expected to be key swing voters in the November election. Obama has also worked to woo Catholics and Hispanics after those groups voted heavily for Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton (web|news|bio) during the primary season.

McCain has said he planned to seek Calderon's help in addressing illegal immigration, a key issue for Hispanic and many conservative voters. The Arizona senator has called for increased security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

McCain's trip to Colombia and Mexico was billed primarily as an opportunity to promote free trade in the Western Hemisphere.

He has spoken out this week in favor of the North American Free Trade Agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico and the proposed Colombia Free Trade deal currently stalled in Congress. On Wednesday, he said as president he might pursue a possible free trade agreement that would cover the entire Western Hemisphere.

Obama has spoken out against NAFTA and the Colombian free trade pact, both of which have been unpopular in important general election swing states like Ohio. McCain wants to help workers displaced by free trade agreements to receive job training and other benefits.

McCain and his wife, Cindy, planned to fly back to Arizona on Thursday to spend the Fourth of July holiday with family.

Written By BETH FOUHY

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