Morelia gets ready for the Pope

The city of Morelia is getting ready for Pope Francis' visit next Tuesday with a cheerful attitude, mainly in the downtown area.

Most visitors are lone youngsters and religious people, with a few families.

The three levels of government, the ecclesiastical authorities and the National Gendarmerie and the Presidential Staff are finishing the logistics for the security of the head of the Vatican state.

There are special security operations in the areas where Jorge Mario Bergoglio will meet with religious representatives, young people and children: the Venustiano Carranza and the José María Morelos stadiums and the Cathedral.

In the atrium of the Cathedral 250 children and young people are rehearsing the songs they will offer to the head of the Catholic Church.

In the meantime, a series of steel barriers in the downtown area can't keep visitors from coming in the thousands, as well as sellers with a myriad of products featuring the image of the Pope.

The hats, the scapulars, the t-shirts, key fobs, flags, cups and other products with the image of Bergoglio are being offered in each corner and in several commercial establishments.

Morelia is expecting, according to the authorities, nearly a million and a half visitors.