Pope Francis speaks with Los Angeles residents via satellite

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Pope Francis took questions and listened to stories via satellite Monday from people in Chicago, McAllen, Texas, and Los Angeles during an exclusive and secretive virtual audience session set up by ABC News.

More than 100 people packed the Vortex Arts Center near downtown Los Angeles to be part of the high-tech audience with the Pope.

"He can't go everywhere that he wanted to go. There are three cities that were selected where he could directly reach out to people," said Cecilia Vega, ABC News senior national correspondent.

Many of the people who got to speak to the Pope were shocked and said the event was surreal.

The satellite exchange is a precursor to Francis' upcoming visit to the U.S. in late September. The Pope is slated to meet with the president, Congress and the United Nations.

The entire virtual audience with the Pope is slated to air in a special edition of ABC's 20/20 on Friday at 10 p.m.