Pope's visit to Juarez will include cross-border Mass

[UrbScotty]

According to Chicago's Catholic Extention society, Pope Francis plans to celebrate an afternoon Mass near the U.S.-Mexico border during his visit to Ciudad Juárez in Mexico on Feb. 17. The 4 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at the Benito Juárez Stadium "right next to the border." The Mass will be the culmination of the pope's visit to Mexico. Also today the Diocese of El Paso, Texas announced that the Mass will include a cross-border component, adding that those details are still being worked out.

According to a statement at its website: "The Diocese of El Paso is working with local, state and federal agencies to celebrate the Papal Mass at the U.S/Mexico border, specifically along Loop 375/César Chávez Highway within eyesight of the Papal Mass. Because of the anticipated crowds for this Mass, remote locations are also under consideration."

Parishes in the two U.S. dioceses across the Rio Grande river from Juárez—El Paso and Las Cruces, New Mexico—will also receive tickets for their parishioners to attend the Mass in Juárez. Pope Francis’ plan to celebrate Mass at the border is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from both the U.S. and Mexico. The Catholic Extention release suggests it "will be a significant milestone of the trip’s itinerary."

Today's update on the pope's itinerary during his Mexico visit still leaves open the question of whether or not the pope's proximity to the border suggests that he will make a personal visit to the border fence at Juarez. A spokesperson for Catholic Extention would only say, "These details are in the discussion phase. We have no specific information that we can confirm as of now."

[duhneece]

1. This Pope gives me hope...

I've never been Catholic, but there is much I love about this man's service....I am going to be there, a speck at the back of the Chamizal. Want to come, too. Send me a message and we'll go together. Last week, I went to Juarez for the first time in 10 years. We saw few, if any, other tourists and it was life-affirming to see folks go about their business, students returning to Juarez from El Paso. It was just so good to be there, feel no fear and just enjoy the museum, the music. Life is good.