200,000 American pilgrims swarm Mexico border for Pope Francis

Extra Border Patrol agents and security measures have been procured to ensure public safety.

Hundreds of thousands of American pilgrims are expected to cross El Paso, Texas borders to enter Mexico on Wednesday.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Up to 200,000 Catholics are expected to cross the American-Mexican border on Wednesday to see Pope Francis, who is expected to celebrate Mass at "El Punto," a large field near Benito Juárez Stadium.

The American pilgrims are expected to swarm four bridges from El Paso, Texas to enter Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, where Pope Francis will speak his message of mercy.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the average number of vehicles and pedestrians crossing the El Paso ports on a regular weekday is a combined 50,000 people and vehicles.

Due to the unusually large number of people expected to pass the ports on Wednesday, the federal law enforcement agency provided extra border patrol and security measures.

The city of Juárez, known for being a dangerous area for decades, has been transformed as its people lined the streets with posters and welcome signs. The city has also been filled with military and police squads patrolling the areas Pope Francis is expected to pass.

On his final day in Mexico, Pope Francis is expected to step to the edge of the Mexico-America border after delivering a mass only 300 feet from the Rio Grande.

The pontiff is expected to speak of the ongoing immigration issue, mercy, helping our fellow man and to pray for the migrants who died in their attempt to cross the border.

According to Reuters, Pope Francis is also expected to pray for victims of violence during Mass.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese in El Paso reported roughly 10,000 tickets were given to parishioners for the Mass, but several tickets were sold online for over $150.

Luckily for those who were unable to purchase or receive free tickets, the El Paso Diocese will hold a "Two Nations, One Faith" viewing party at Sun Bowl Stadium - which can accommodate 50,000 people - in which a two-way live stream of the Papal Mass will be broadcast.

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