Local Juarez band chosen to play “theme song” for Pope Francis visit

A Juarez band is preparing for the chance of a lifetime, to sing an original song for Pope Francis during his historic visit across the border.

Jorge Alvidrez, a native of Ciudad Juarez, co-wrote the song “Francisco Es” two years ago when the Pope took office. Now, it will be the theme song for his trip to Mexico.

Alvidrez and his band “Desierto Vivo” played the song during mass on Sunday for parishioners at Little Flower Catholic Church in El Paso.

The band plans to sing it while the Pope enters the fairgrounds to celebrate mass on February 17. Alvidrez says he wants everyone to join them.

The songwriter says he was in disbelief after he got the call his song would be the theme for the Pope’s visit. It was chosen among three other artists after Juarez Bishop Jos Guadalupe Torres Campostook his CD, “Contigo,” and played the song for bishopsat the Mexican Episcopate conference in Mexico City in November.

The Rev. Mario Manriquez, vicar for the diocese, said most of the bishops in the conference reacted with an applause after hearing the song.

“They liked the message in the song. And it sounded fresh, and not cliche,” he said. “And it’s written by people who work in the church, but it’s not written with a traditional sound — it’s jovial.”