Parishioners to receive discounted tickets to watch Pope Francis at Sun Bowl

Parishioners who can’t go to Juarez to see Pope Francis in person next month still have the chance to see him on the big screen in El Paso.

Friar Jose Ramirez, at Saint Francis of Assisi, confirms Catholic churches across El Paso are giving discounted tickets to parishioners to view the Pope’s mass at the Sun Bowl on February 17.

The diocese has also given life size cutouts of Pope Francis to churches across the borderland so parishioners can take pictures with the pope’s image and share them on social media using the hashtag #popefrancisattheborder.

Ramirez said tickets to the Sun Bowl viewing are $15, but if parishioners go to their local church, they will get a code and receive a $5 discount.

The El Paso diocese has said the cost is only to offset the cost to rent the Sun Bowl, not to make profit.

During a news conference Monday, El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz said it would be irresponsible to put the diocese in debt and is looking for corporate sponsors to help with expenses related to Pope Francis’ trip.