The pope’s representative to the United States will join the bishops of the Tucson and Nogales, Sonora dioceses on the border for a binational Mass.
Appointed the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States this spring, the Archbishop Christophe Pierre brings to the Mass an empathy for both countries — he previously served as papal nuncio to Mexico. Pierre will be the principal celebrant for the last in a series of three border Masses this year.
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of the Diocese of Tucson and Bishop José Leopoldo González González of the Diocese of Nogales, Sonora have concelebrated Mass at the border twice in different cities, according to press materials. This time, they’ll meet in Nogales.
Dioceses Without Borders has organized the services to promote unity on both sides of the border.
“As far as the faith is concerned, there is no border there,” said Steff Koeneman, a spokeswoman for the Diocese of Tucson. “There is a physical and political and governmental border, but in terms of faith and belief in God? No.”
