Parishioners watch papal mass at viewing parties across Las Cruces

It was an emotional evening for some parishioners at Saint Albert the Great Newman Parish. A group of about 30 gathered to watch the papal mass on a projector screen inside the parish hall. Many tell ABC-7 they walked away feeling energized and hopeful.

While they weren’t attending the mass in person, Parishioners greeted one another to offer peace. Some took pictures and filmed his every word. One NMSU student attending the viewing wore a Pope Francis shirt, and expressed how he was her role model. Others got teary eyed.

“It was a beautiful ceremony,” parishioner Patricia Garcia said. “It was just very emotional for me. I wish I was able to go to Juarez but you know, it was just beautiful.”

A lot of parishioners ABC-7 spoke with wanted to go to Juarez or the Sun Bowl event but their plans fell through. They said being at the church together with friends to experience the mass together was the next best thing.