Juarez Papal Mass: What Those Attending Need to Know

Juarez transit police officials expect 216,000 people to show up for the papal mass at the old Juarez fairgrounds across the border from South El Paso.

The masses will be divided into five sections: green, blue, purple, yellow and red. If you do not have a pass, you will not be able to access any of the sites.

Click on this link for the map and additional information: ‘Francisco en Juarez’ Information (Spanish)

A ticket for the papal mass does not guarantee you will get a seat, Juarez Diocese officials said. The seats closest to the pope will be reserved for immigrants, victims of violence, the sick and disabled.

Juarez Catholic Diocese officials said there will be an additional 26,000 spaces within the Olympic Stadium Benito Juarez. Screens will be set up inside the stadium so people can see the mass, officials said.

According to a news release from the Juarez Catholic Diocese, Pope Francis is scheduled to drive through the stadium in his popemobile to wave at those inside.

El Pasoans with with tickets for the mass in the red and yellow zones are urged to cross into Juarez through the Stanton Street Bridge Downtown. No one will be allowed to park a vehicle within a five block radius of the papal mass site.

Officials said the Bridge of the Americas (Cordova) will remain open February 17, but civilian and commercial traffic is expected to back up into South El Paso. Officials urge El Pasoans to avoid this bridge the day of the papal mass.

If you will volunteer for the human chain farther south into Juarez, or have tickets for the mass in the green, purple and blue zones, officials ask that you consider entering Juarez at the Zaragoza Port of Entry in the Ysleta-Waterfill area.

Officials said Juarenzes and visitors attending the mass will have to present their papal mass ticket before being allowed to board buses that will take them to their zone at a cost of 7 pesos.

The buses will pick up people at seven locations around Juarez and will drive directly to their respective zones within the papal mass site.

Juarenzes and visitors with tickets for the purple zone will be able to board buses at Avenida De las Torres y Mitla, the entrance at Villa Integra, and Plaza Sendero.

Those with tickets for the blue zone, which includes the stadium, will have to board the buses at Vicente Guerrero and Avenida Industrias.

Buses will be picking up Juarenzes and visitors with tickets for the green zone at Aerojuarez Street near the Industrial Park at Miguel de la Madrid, an empty lot near the Walmart and Home Depot at Avenida Tecnolgico, and the Soriana Iglesias at Avenida Plutarco Elias and Ejercito Nacional.

Those with tickets for the yellow zone will be able to board buses at Parral Street and Zaragoza Boulevard; and at Juan Gabriel and Pavorreal.

Those with tickets for the red zone will be picked up at the stadium Jurez Vive.

Officials said it is recommended those attending the mass have someone drive them to these locations.

The diocese also said it is not a good idea to camp out at the site of the mass, and instead urge Borderland residents to arrive at the site early on the 17th.

Gates will open at 6:00 a.m. and you have to be there before 2 p.m. No one, with the exception of the pope, will be allowed to enter the site after 2 p.m.

The mass begins at 4:00 p.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. No one will be allowed to leave until the pope has left the area.

Those attending the mass will have to pass through four security zones, which will include metal detectors.

No firearms, bottles, cameras, mobile phone chargers, selfie sticks, unbrellas, seats, and plastic containers will be allowed.

You will be able to take small doses of medicine, water and food, which will have to be prepared and inside a baggie.

Backpacks and small purses will be allowed, but will be thoroughly checked at each security checkpoint.

Men and women will be allowed to wear hats.