More than 50,000 Hispanic-American faithful will be waiting to catch a glimpse of the Holy Father when he arrives in Washington, D.C. this coming September.
The number was confirmed to Fides news agency by Auxiliary Bishop Mario Eduardo Dorsonville-Rodriguez of Washington, D.C.
Among the events being prepared for the Pope’s visit is a «Mass at Dawn» that is being organized by 40 parishes in the area. Thousands of Hispanic-Americans will be present to greet the Holy Father as he passes the streets of the nation’s capital.
Bishop Dorsonville expressed his hope that the occasion will bring attention to an issue at the forefront of American political discussions: immigration reform.
There will be over 50,000 Hispanic-American believers waiting for the Pope in Washington, said His Exc. Mgr. Mario Eduardo Dorsonville-Rodríguez, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington in a note sent to Fides regarding the Pope’s visit to the United States. Mgr. Dorsonville said that the meeting will be close to the White House, after the meeting with President Obama, on September 23.
Speaking on the situation of 11 million immigrants, many of them Hispanic, the bishop said: «We think that at some point of the visit the Pontiff will make reference to the urgency of an immigration reform.»
«In my opinion the Pope will not be indifferent towards such a delicate issue» Bishops Dorsonville stated.
