SAN ANTONIO – In just eight days, Pope Francis will be visiting the U.S.-Mexican border.
The man often referred to as the “People’s Pope,” will visit a Mexican prison, meet with representatives from the World Of Work at the Colegio de Bachilleres of the State of Chihuahua and celebrate Mass at the Cuidad Juarez Trade Centre, according to a news release from the Vatican.
Ahead of the visit, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of the Archdiocese of San Antonio on Tuesday sat down to talk about the historic upcoming trip and what people from across the world might expect to hear.
“He’s coming to touch the lives of the people who live in Juarez, who have gone through a lot of suffering for many, many years,” Garcia-Siller said.
The archbishop, who prefers to be called Archbishop Gustavo, recognizes Ciudad Juarez was once named the most dangerous city in the world. He expects the pope to discuss important topics such as drug cartels, immigration, politics and the economy.
Pope Francis will host a Mass at an altar built especially for his visit. He will also pray over the Rio Grande River while facing neighboring El Paso.
Thousands of people will be five miles away at a celebration at the University of Texas at El Paso Sun Bowl called “Two Nations, One Faith,” watching the Mass via telecast.
“It’s the pope who does not believe in walls,” Garcia-Siller said. The archbishop said he will represent the people of San Antonio while being with the pope during the visit to Mexico.
About 250,000 pilgrims are expected to be at the border for the visit happening just one week after Lent begins.
KSAT 12 News will be in El Paso covering the pope’s visit from Feb. 16-18.