Several individuals from Lubbock are headed to see Pope Francis, as he makes his trip through Mexico. Nearly half a million people are expected to attend Pope Francis mass at Ciudad Juarez.

“This is a once in a lifetime experience,” said City of Lubbock Council Member Victor Hernandez. “I’m hoping we’re going to be in very close proximity to the Pope.”

This is the first time a Pope will hold a mass along the Texas-Mexico border.

“I and along with a lot of non-Catholics have been extremely impressed with this Pope and the message that he’s delivered on many topics,” said Council Member Hernandez.

Council Member Hernandez an El Paso native and his wife, Lubbock County Judge, Aurora Hernandez, both serve at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, and they’ll both be present at Pope Francis historic mass.

“We’re [both] very familiar with the City and familiar with Juarez,” said Council Member Hernandez. “It’s been awhile since we’ve been to Juarez, so we’re looking forward to crossing the border once again.”

The Pope’s trip is expected to influence the Texas-Mexico border.
    
“The message he brings concerning immigration and immigrants, and how they ought to be treated, and how they ought to be welcomed, is especially important to us,” said Council Member Hernandez.

Pope Francis begins his trip on Friday as he heads to Mexico City and concludes his trip in Juarez, formerly considered the murder capital of the world.

“In large part to a lot of people going to Juarez has been a little uneasy whether it’s self imposed or for real reasons,” said Dr. Miguel Levario, Texas Tech professor and Borderland historian. “But, there has been a lot of change.”

Dr. Levario, author of Militarizing The Border said there has been a lot of positive change in the past five years, in El Paso’s Sister City- Juarez.

“They’ll have to overcome the fear of going to Juarez to go see him if they want to see him up close in personal or up close in a mass, they’re going to have to cross that bridge,” said Dr. Levario.

Council Member Hernandez was invited by Juarez’s mayor and he said he’s honored to represent the Lubbock community, alongside other global dignitaries.

“We’re going to take a lot of Kleenex,” said Council Member Hernandez followed by a chuckle. He said this is an emotional trip, he’s bringing a couple of rosary’s to be blessed for members of the community. Along with a photograph of his God daughter who is battling an illness.

“I think it’s going to be an extremely emotional event for everyone whether they are there in Juarez in person or watching it across the border in El Paso, we’re looking forward to it,” said Council Member of Hernandez.

Franciscan Sister Olivia Rico from the Lubbock Catholic Diocese will also be visiting and representing the Lubbock community.

KLBK will have coverage from El Paso and Juarez with KLBK’s Melissa Adan, beginning Saturday night on KLBK News at 6 p.m.