Itinerary

On one of the most important days for Catholics in Mexico, the Vatican revealed details of Pope Francis’ visit to Mexico – including Ciudad Juarez.

Saturday, Dec. 12, is the feast day of La Virgen de Guadalupe – the patroness saint of the Americas.

Church officials have said the trip will begin Feb. 12.

His itinerary in Juarez is as follows:

Pope Francis arrives at Juarez airport at approximately 10a.m MST on Feb. 17, 2016. From there, he will travel via motorcade to Cereso prison where he will meet and pray with several inmates starting at 10:30 a.m.
The Pope’s next expected stop will be Colegio Bachilleres where he will be met by approximately 3,600 business leaders and workers from 12 to 1:15 p.m.
Pope Francis will then travel to the Seminary for a private lunch and rest.
He will celebrate Mass at 4 p.m. at El Punto, a large field near Benito Juarez Stadium. El Punto holds about 220,000 people and tickets will be provided to parishes on both sides of the border for those who want to attend Mass in Juarez. The event is expected to last until 6:30 p.m.
He will then return to the Juarez airport for a farewell ceremony featuring Mexican President Enrique Pea Nieto. Pope Francis is expected to depart for Rome around 7:30 p.m. The pope’s travels through the city streets of Juarez will provide an estimated 50 km of opportunity for the faithful to greet His Holiness.

“During Mass, Pope Francis will undoubtedly call attention to many realities that are lived on both sides of our U.S. – Mexico border, particularly the plight of so many migrants and refugees fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries, in search of better lives for themselves and their children,” El Paso Bishop Mark J. Seitz said in a statement. “Pope Francis is expected to approach the U.S./Mexico divide as a symbol of the same journey taken by migrants. It will also provide him an opportunity to acknowledge the faithful on the El Paso side of the border.”

There is a chance that Pope Francis could add another Mass in Juarez to his schedule.

“I am presently in conversation with our local civic leaders about celebrating Mass with Pope Francis at the El Paso border fence along Loop 375/Cesar Chavez Highway. The details of this liturgy are still being developed,” Seitz said in a statement. “We have created a page on our web site where details about the Mass, volunteer opportunities and information about donations will be offered. That page is www.elpasodiocese.org.

The Diocese of El Paso is also providing a phone line for those interested in getting more information about our local events. That number is 915-872-7475.”

Pope Francis first brought up the idea of visiting Juarez earlier this year when he said he wanted to enter the U.S. from Mexico through Juarez for his September trip to the U.S. He said he wanted to do it a sign of solidarity with migrants.

The September schedule didn’t allow for it and the plan changed when the U.S. and Cuba’s relationship changed and he decided to visit Cuba before coming to the U.S.

Pope Francis has previously said his Mexico trip will include four cities. He told reporters last month that the Mexico trip would have an immigration theme.

Speaking to reporters en route home from Africa last month, Pope Francis said he would begin his trip in the capital, Mexico City, to pray before the Virgin of Guadalupe — “the mother of the Americas.”

He said he planned to visit Chiapas on Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala, where many Central American migrants pass through en route to the United States.

He then said he would stop in Morelia before wrapping up his trip in Juarez.