Pope Francis to hold Mass at Mexico-U.S. border

Pope Francis will hold a mass at the border town of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, during his scheduled trip mid-February next year, the Vatican announced.

The mass will be held 4 p.m. at the Benito Juarez Stadium, which sits next to the Mexico-U.S. border. Both Mexicans and Americans are expected to attend, although the details for the "cross-border" event are yet to be released, according to the Diocese of El Paso, Texas.

In the same city, the Pope will meet with more than 3,000 business people, have lunch with the seminarians and visit inmates at Cereso prison.

"El Punto holds about 220,000 people and tickets will be provided to parishes on both sides of the border for those who want to attend Mass in Juarez," the Diocese of El Paso said in a statement.

The diocese said it is working with federal, local and state authorities regarding the "cross-over" mass, specifically along Loop 375, César Chávez Highway within eyesight of the Papal Mass. Due to anticipated crowds up to hundreds of thousands for the Mass, remote locations are "also under consideration".

"Pope Francis is expected to approach the U.S.-Mexico divide as a symbol of the same journey taken by migrants. It will also provide him an opportunity to acknowledge the faithful on the El Paso side of the border," Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso said.

Responding to questions over whether the Pope will actually visit the border, a spokesperson for the Catholic Extension said such details are in the "discussion phase".