Excitement builds over announcement of Pope Francis’ agenda in Juarez

Excitement is building across the border over Saturday’s announcement of Pope Francis’ agenda in Juarez.

The Pope is scheduled to visit Mexico for six days in February. He will end his visit in Ciudad Juarez. A preliminary plan released last week included Parque Pblico Federal El Chamizal and a prison. The Vatican will release the full agenda Saturday.

Juarez residents will gather near La Catedral for Saturday’s big announcement.

Meanwhile, Juarez is buzzing with excitement. Residents are counting down the days until Pope Francis arrives. They hope his trip unites the embattled community and they hope he can bring the peace they’ve long been waiting for.

“The people are very excited and proud.”

“What a joy for the people, you know why, because we needed a blessing like this.”

“It’s a special occasion for Juarenses.”

Residents were overwhelmed with joy for the Pope’s February visit to Juarez.

Downtown, La Catedral was filled with people anxiously awaiting to hear about his full agenda, celebrating with music, food and prayer.

Near La Catedral, a kiosk plastered with photos of Pope Francis with the phrase, “Chihuahua es Amor” or “Chihuahua is Love,” encouraging people to sign a guestbook located inside with their message and prayers.

“I’m here to tell him that let’s have a better place here in Juarez, that way we have more community get together and help each other,”

For Juarenses, the visit marks a turning point for the city once known as the murder capital of the world.

“It’s so beautiful because there’s going to be a lot of people, from around the world, and so that they know Juarez is shaping up,” Juarez resident, Ruben Espinoza said.

Good luck finding a hotel room in Juarez during the visit.

“I’m going to be there about three says before he comes so we can get a good place and go over there,” El Pasoan Feliz Casada said.

Hotels like El Paseo have been booked ever since the Pope’s visit was first announced.

“For this visit, hotels, motels are going to be full, I’m sure they’ve even benefitted. It brings people that follow him. I think this visit is important for our community. It brings people from all over the world, literally from all over the world. We know that people follow him from around the world,” El Paseo’s Sales Manager Carlos Escobar said.

The official announcement will be made Saturday morning, the day also dedicated the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Abc-7 will have complete coverage on air and online.