"The most powerful economy in the world (sits) on one side of the Bravo River, and the world of development, or of countries on a path of development, on the other," he said referring to the Rio Grande, which forms the border between the State of Texas and Mexico.
Another important part of the Pope's trip will be his visit to Chiapas, which is one of the poorest regions in Mexico, the ambassador explained.
The visit is symbolic not only for its historical significance, but also due to the fact that it serves as a primary entry point for Central American immigrants, who come primarily from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Originally part of Guatemala, Chiapas annexed itself to Mexico in 1824 after the Federal Republic of Central America gained its independence from the First Mexican Empire. Chiapas therefore represents "the first exercise of direct democracy of the Latin American continent … this is a very important historical element," Alcocer said.
Another important part of the Pope's visit to the region is his meeting with families, which will take place Feb. 15.
"It's very important that the national meeting of families also develops in Chiapas, because many of the Central American immigrants, and Mexican immigrants who have to go to the United States, have as a consequence the rupture of the familial nucleus," he said.
The immigrants who come to Mexico from Central America frequently leave behind their families and board the long train known as "the beast," which is a network of Mexican freight trains frequently used by U.S.-bound immigrants who want to pass through Mexico more quickly.
However, despite the gravity of issues surrounding immigration and the economy, Alcocer said the most fundamental aspect of the Pope's trip is his visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Veneration of Our Lady of Guadalupe dates back to the 16th century, and surrounds a miraculous image of Mary left on a tilma, made from a piece of poor-quality cactus cloth.
It all started when a "Lady from Heaven" appeared to Saint Juan Diego, a poor Indian from Tepeyac, on a hill northwest of Mexico City. Over the course of a series of apparitions in 1531, the woman, who identified herself as the Mother of the True God, instructed Juan Diego to have the bishop build a church on the site.
As a sign, the now-famous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, was imprinted miraculously on his tilma. Both the image and the tilma remain intact after more than 470 years.
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"The Madonna of Guadalupe is the most prayed to advocate in the whole world," the ambassador said, noting that the image is especially dear to the Mexican people, who have "a very deep popular piety."
"The Madonna of Guadalupe is a sociological religious phenomenon that is so important that it actually attracts even non-Catholics or non-practicing Catholics who consider themselves 'guadalupanos,'" or firm devotees of the devotion.
Mexican society as a whole has a high regard both for Our Lady of Guadalupe as well as for Pope Francis as a religious figure, Alcocer observed.
"This recognition of the fundamental role of the pontiff brings about great expectations of the visit of the Pope in Mexico," he said, adding that "Mexico was the door to evangelization on the America continent."
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.