Residents voice worry, anxiety at Rep. Emma Acosta’s meeting over Pope Francis visit

Rep. Emma Acosta hosted a meeting Thursday night to help residents get a better picture of what Feb. 17 will entail, especially if they have plans to be a part of the event in some way.

Acosta was joined by Jose Ramos Andujo, the Cuidad Juarez project executive, Patricia Lpez Fierro, chancellor at the Diocese of El Paso, and Bryan Crowe, general manager of Destination El Paso, who answered questions from residents.

For one resident, Griselda Quintero, the chance to see Pope Francis for the first time in the El Paso-Juarez region was so important and special to her, it brought her to tears. But for those who may not fully grasp the significance, Ramos said to think of it as El Paso’s chance to shine under an international spotlight.

“The mayors from both cities are promoting this region, to bring more people to this area to make business and get better wages for everybody,” Ramos said. “So I think the visit from the pope will give us perspective from around the world and people will see us in a different manner.”

But there’s lots of little devils in the details, especially for Quintero, who wants to travel to Juarez with a toddler. First, she’d have to get a ticket to the Mass from her church. There’s no guarantee she will. If she gets a ticket, they will be a certain color. The color will tell her where she can catch a designated bus to get to the stadium.

Second, she has to get to Juarez. Juarez officials suggest leaving a day before the visit. Whether by car or by foot, expect long, long lines at the designated Sante Fe bridge. Once Quintero parks, she’d half to walk another five miles to get to the papal route.

“They have to understand there’s going to be a lot of people,” Ramos said. “So we have to go with that mentality. It’s not your going to a picnic, you know what I’m saying.”

“As soon as my kids get out of school on Tuesday, I’d go to Juarez,” Quintero said. “I have relatives over there. But now that they’re saying they’re going to close the streets, there’s no way I can get to my relatives.”

The Juarez hotels are full. Quintero really, really wants to see the pope. But as the two cities finalize their plans, she’s starting to lose hope.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m putting it on God’s hands.”