There is a lot of excitement here in Carmel. The mission is expecting anywhere from 2,000-3,000 visitors. And after the mission becomes the final resting place of a saint, there will be thousand more who will make a pilgrimage to his grave.
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The Carmel Mission draws some 125,000 people a year and that could double following Father Serra's canonization.
"We've had a ton of people here, everybody asking about it, so it's very exciting," said Tyler Dawn, from the Carmel Mission.
"It's a privilege to be here the day before," said tourist Jerome Burish.
Jerome and Carol Burish are on vacation from Wisconsin. Knowing they're visiting the burial place of a soon-to-be saint is beyond words.
"It's just emotional... It's nice. I'm sorry," said Carol as she began to tear up.
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"Anybody who's Catholic will tell you there's not a lot of canonizations, so for the pope to do it in D.C. while he's here, with our pastor and our bishop there, it's going to be a pretty big deal," Dawn said.
Several of the mission's artifacts are in D.C. for the ceremony along with the pastor and bishop, but for those who couldn't make the trip, a large screen is ready in the courtyard.
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One Native American group notified the mission of a silent protest and blessing of the graveyard, but otherwise the feeling is excitement. As even non-Catholics feel a strong connection to the charismatic Pope Francis.
"I'm not a Catholic, but I love what he's done and the more I read about him, the more I love him as a man. I was reading about him and it brought me to tears. He's such a good man," said tourist Chuck Wyke.
The canonization viewing takes place from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., PT, and the mission gates will be open all day.

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Written and produced by Ken Miguel