July 19--Thousands are expected to attend a special Mass on Sunday afternoon at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the "immigrant spirit" and to call for comprehensive immigration reform.
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will lead the Mass in Recognition of All Immigrants at 4 p.m. A special pre-procession is scheduled for 3:20 p.m.
The Mass will be streamed live online.
The pre-procession will include representatives from parishes throughout the region and people "impacted by the broken immigration system," according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
"Our Holy Father Pope Francis has called us to help people change their hearts and attitudes towards immigrants, and reach out to our immigrant brothers and sisters with tenderness and understanding," the statement said. "As we prepare for Pope Francis' visit to the U.S. and pray for the Holy Spirit to move the hearts of our legislators as they make decisions toward comprehensive immigration reform, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez has called the faithful of Southern California to gather together in prayer."
