El Paso diocese, city plan papal celebration at Sun Bowl

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso and El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser announced plans for a “Two Nations, One Faith” celebration at Sun Bowl Stadium at the University of Texas at El Paso on Feb. 17 in honor of Pope Francis’ visit to El Paso's sister-city, Juarez, Mexico.

“In spite of the borders and boundaries that exist, we see ourselves as one great Catholic community, and we are immensely grateful and honored that our universal pastor, Pope Francis, has chosen to come to our area,” Bishop Seitz said. “We celebrate this great day for our brothers and sisters in Juarez.”

Pope Francis has chosen Juarez as the last city on his five-day Mexico tour. The Juarez visit will include a trip to a local prison, a visit with Juarez maquila workers and business leaders and conclude with an open air Mass where an expected crowd of 220,000 people will celebrate.

El Pasoans and out-of-town visitors who do not have tickets to the Papal Mass in Juarez can celebrate at Sun Bowl Stadium with a real-time broadcast of the Mass. The “Two Nations, One Faith” celebration will include national and local entertainers to be announced at a later date as well as religious and cultural elements.

Tickets for the Sun Bowl celebration will be $15 for the general public. It is important to note that the Sun Bowl celebration is not a Mass and Communion will not be offered. For more information on ticketing, please contact the UTEP Ticket Center at (915) 747-5234.

Bishop Seitz and Mayor Leeser also announced the launch of a new Web site for the event; twonationsonefaith.com will house all information regarding the El Paso events. The city and the diocese will also use the hashtag #2nations1faith as a hub for information on social media.