Ciudad Juarez prepares for Pope Francis visit

Jobita Figueroa, 65, and granddaughter Cynthia Torres, 18, write in a book set up in Juarez for people to send messages to Pope Francis. (Julian Cardona / For The Times)

Feb. 9, 2016 9:58 AM PT

Juarez had the lowest number of homicides since the surge in drug violence: 311, compared with 3,111 when the violence peaked in 2010.

Ciudad Juarez prepares for Pope Francis visit

Painters work on final touches to an altar that will be used by Pope Francis during his visit to Ciudad Juarez. (Julian Cardona / For The Times)

Jose Luis Castillo, right, whose daughter disappeared when she was 13 speaks with people about safety measures in downtown Ciudad Juarez. (Julian Cardona / For The Times)