Unreleased Juan Gabriel song reportedly dedicated to Pope Francis

When the Pope Francis arrives in Juarez, he’ll be welcomed by a children’s choir singing “Arriba Chihuahua,” and possibly the voice Juarez’s favorite son.

A previously unreleased song by Juan Gabriel has hit the Internet and is said to be dedicated to Pope Francis.

“A Juarez” touts Juarez as a joyful place, and according to El Diario De Juarez, the song was sent to Mexican media.

It included a message allegedly from Juan Gabriel, saying the song was to, “Serve the city (of Juarez), given the importance of his highness Francis to our land and as my way of welcoming (the pope).”

The song says in part, “Since the sun rises in Ciudad Juarez, there is excitement in Ciudad Juarez. Every night there is joy in Ciudad Juarez and it’s night and this is the day.”

Officials with the Diocese of Ciudad Juarez told El Diario they were unaware of the song, but and reiterated that the official song for the pope’s visit to Juarez is titled “Francisco Es,” of “Francis is.”

To listen to the Juan Gabriel song, click here.