Southern California Pilgrims Prepare To Meet The Pope Back East

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) —    A special mass at Our Lady of Angels Cathedral was held Saturday in Log Angeles.

The mass honored the many cultures of Los Angeles and blessed the pilgrims who will make their way to the east coast to see Pope Francis during his visit to the United States.

CBS2's Adrianna Weingold interviewed many of the pilgrims including one young girl who is hoping she will get to meet the pope for a second time.

"Pope Francis isn't just for us as Catholics, he's not just our Pope he's kind of everybody's pope," said Julie Marquez, "a lot of people have embraced him and his message and his humility transcends Catholicism."

Archbishop Jose Gomez led the mass, giving a special blessing to the pilgrims

"I think his ministry is just a beautiful example of what the Catholic church is all about, we are a people of service and make a positive influence in society and that's what you see when you look at him," said Gomez.

Jersey Vargas and her family are planning on going to all of Pope Francis's appearances. The 11-year-old spoke to the Pontiff last year at the Vatican asking for her father's release from jail. She wanted the Pope to lobby President Obama.

Now, with her father Mario by her side, she hopes to get the chance to say thank you for helping reunite her family.

"I'm really happy because now that my family, I used to say that whenever we used to eat he was never there in the seat and now that we're all together it's just like we can go everywhere without even feeling lonely." said Vargas.

Weingold reported 275 people were picked by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to make the pilgrimage to the east coast.