Local shop sells official pope merchandise

you can expect to find pope merchandise at every corner in cuidad juarez. but a shop here in el paso is already stocking up on pope merchandise and the sales of the religious keepsakes also contribute to a cause. abc-7’s jerry najera is live with the story … rick estela many might not have the luxury of going over to juarez to visit the pope and pick up some keepsakes of the historic event. but no worries-there’s a shop here that’s selling official pope merchandise. it’s a store off the freeway you’ve probably passed hundreds of times. the madonna shop. inside you can find religious collectables ranging from books to nightlights to statues. but it’s the pope’s merchandise that got customers buzzing. “we talk to customers and you ask them about the pope and they just grin from ear to ear” lillian felix is owner of the madonna shop she tells me representatives from the juarez diocese chose their store to sell official pope francis merchandise. “it’s official commemorative items that’s been approved by them and they will be selling these exact same items in juarez” no only is the merchandise official but the sales have a purpose. “all the proceeds we do get fro that money goes back to diocese to help fund the papal visit” felix tell me for many-buying the merchandise means more than just having something to display. “we don’t know if any pope will come to this area again so i think even just having a rosary in their hand or a prayer card it’s going to remind them of that special day” fo shoppers like eloiso and dolores de avila the items they bought are ment for a higher purpose. “rosaries t have them blessed and we’re going to have them in our cars but i’m sending it to my son who’s out of town” there’s also local merchandise like this shirt that showcases the franklins and the star on the mountain. prices on the pope goods can range from thirty cents to about fifty dollars although she has seen a boost in customers for felix it isn’t about sales it’s about being near the most holiness. “he hasn’t even bee here yet and you can just feel the energy when you have conversations with our customers they’re excited they’re happy that he’s coming in” felix says they’re expecting to receive even more merchandise like coffe mugs and jewelry and you can find them on facebook under the madonna shop where they’ll be updating all the new goods their getting. and … what was pope francis doing today? well — he met with actor leonardo