Juarez-bound: Some Las Cruces Catholic students will get to celebrate Mass with pope

Students at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Las Cruces are eagerly awaiting the pope’s visit to Juarez.

The Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces gave 100 tickets to Holy Cross Catholic Church so parishioners could attend the papal Mass, and 25 of those tickets went to the school.

That means 25 students and staff members will cross the border for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Many students ABC-7 spoke with at the school said Pope Francis is greater than a superstar. And while not everyone can attend the papal Mass, students and teachers say they are all very excited.

The halls of the school are covered in decorations and crafts honoring Pope Francis. Teachers say they’ve incorporated the pope into their lesson plans all week long.

On Wednesday, students who are not in attendance at Holy Cross School will get an excused absence. Classes are also letting out early at 11 a.m. The church and school are holding a viewing party of the papal Mass at 3:30 p.m.