A group of 32 parishioners from the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia came to Rome as their first stop on a two-week European tour. As a pilgrimage trip for them, they began preparing their funds and organizing the trip six months before.
ALDO KOESWARA
“This pilgrimage is coming from the Western part of Java Island in Indonesia, so most of them know each other and they are gathering together and they decided to make the pilgrimage to Rome, the Vatican and Europe as well.”
Additionally, they say they came to try to meet Pope Francis and to join in the prayer with universal Catholic Church.
FR. WILFRED
Diocese of Bandung
“We bring our prayers and unite it with the Church's prayer and together we bring it to have a little communication with Pope Francis. Then we bring it together as a group, as a Christian prayer for all humans and also for all Christians in the world. We are very, very happy to meet Pope Francis. He is a very kind and humble person. We bring our prayer also for him.”
They were present at Wednesday's General Audience and say they were able to see the pope up close and personal.
FENNY HANDAYANI
Diocese of Bandung
“Yes, I saw him very close. When he crossed, he was right in front of me, yes.”
A very emotional group, they voiced their excitement through song, singing a typical patriotic song from their region, “Halo, Halo Bandung.”
The group waved their Indonesian flags from St. Peter's Square, proud to be representing the Catholics in their country, who make up just more than three percent of the total population.
