Garces Memorial High School hosted a special mass today to honor Pope Francis’ visit to America.

The mass was led by Monsignor Stephen Frost inside the school’s gym. Father Frost spoke to the students and staff about the significance of the Pope’s visit and the canonization of Father Junipero Serra. Serra founded the first nine of 21 missions along the California coast. 

Today’s mass was a part of Pope Francis week at Garces High. Students from the social justice club at the school passed out yellow bracelets that said “Pope Francis” with a phrase from the pope, “Let us journey together”

Students at Garces say they identify with this pope more because he is more modern and has made changes in the Catholic Church to make it more inclusive and appealing to the younger generations.

Pope Francis Week continues at Garces on Thursday where the students will dress in papal colors, white and gold.