Pope's visit to U.S./Mexico border leaves worshippers hopeful

Mass in Ciudad Juarez simulcast to El Paso

EL PASO, Texas – Worshippers who crowded the Sun Bowl in El Paso on Wednesday to view the simulcast of Pope Francis celebrating Mass in neighboring Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, said memories of the event will last a lifetime.

For many of the 30,000 people who attended the "Two Nations, One Faith" event in El Paso, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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People traveled from Texas, Louisiana, California, Arizona and New Mexico to attend the event, which culminated a five-day whirlwind tour of Mexico for the pontiff.

"It's nice to see all the different groups here," Isabel Nolte, who traveled from Houston, said.

The mood was cheerful in the stadium, as people danced, laughed and clapped until the images of the pope appeared on the Jumbotron. At that moment, the mood turned serious. Many of the attendees said they felt blessed attending the event.

"I think it'll reach out to more Catholics and hopefully bring our Catholic community closer," a female worshipper said. "He tries to be closer to the people in anyway that he can."

Some worshippers said they feel gestures, like the silent prayer Pope Francis offered for migrants at a special altar along the border fence, makes an impression on so many people.

"He's being watched by so many different people. I think, personally, a big part of that is because he's acting a lot like Jesus Christ with the ways that he's communicating, acting and who he spends his time with," Megan Pawlak, an El Paso resident, said. "I feel like this pope, in particular, has been very good at speaking truth and to be willing to confront powers and injustice."

Pope Francis thanked technology for making the two-way simulcast possible.

Following the Mass, the pope boarded his plane for Italy.

WATCH: Pope Francis' visit to U.S.-Mexico border (four parts)


About the Authors:

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.