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Pope in Juarez?

Pope Francis will be visiting Mexico, home to more than 90 million Catholics.

Wednesday Mexico’s Secretary of External Relations confirmed the pontiffs visit for early next year.

Pope Francis’s visit to the U.S in September drew in crowds by the millions. There was live television coverage, a historic visit to Capitol Hill and a mass was held in Philadelphia, all-creating “pope mania.”

Wednesday Secretary of External Relations, Laura Ruiz Massieu announced
Pope Francis will visit Mexico next year.

The pope is expected to visit Mexico City and the Basilica. Also mentioned was a meeting with President Enrique Pena Nieto and a stop in three states, Michoacan, Chiapas and Chihuahua.

The news left some to believe there’s a possibility he could visit Cuidad Juarez.

“My phone blew up this afternoon,” said Communications Director for the El paso Catholic Diocese, Elizabeth O’ Hara.

O’ Hara tells ABC-7 there is definitely a buzz around the news.

“I’m as exited as everyone else. I think we all are,” said O’Hara.

O’Hara said a visit to the State of Chihuahua from the pope would inject a boost in faith.

“I think it would just swell the pride here in El Paso, Juarez and Las Cruces for those who identify themselves as Catholic,” said O’Hara.

Catholics who have seen turmoil in the past years.

“I think Catholics in the last 15 years have felt beat up by the scandals that rocked this church and I think that Pope Francis is helping to renew in people that sense of pride,” said O’Hara.

Massieu said in the news conference Wednesday Pope Francis arrival would be a head of state and a head of catholic church visit.

Either way the popes visit to Mexico and a possibility of a visit to Juarez would be historic.

“Imagine all of the people that will come from all over the southwest. New Mexico,Texas and Arizona for the opportunity to just maybe see him. I think the influence, the impact he has is something we’ve never seen,” said O’Hara.

Mexican Cardinal Norberto Rivera says Pope Francis will arrive in Mexico February 12.

The Vatican is expected to release a final agenda for Pope Francis’ visit to Mexico December 12.

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