The presence of Pope Francis really opened our eyes to a very simple personality, full of fraternity and compassion. Our hearts have been strengthened in our calling to follow Jesus Christ. His simplicity was evident when he chose an ordinary flight from Rome to Indonesia, when he decided to take a simple Inova car and stay in the embassy instead of a luxury hotel that had been offered to him. Even the watch he was wearing was in the public eye, as it turned out to be cheap. In Indonesia, where many civil servants live in luxury and use government facilities, this has been a hot topic of discussion.
When he drove from one place to another by car, he always sat next to the driver and waved to the people who greeted him on the street. A beautiful view, as if to say, "I don't have any enemies here, so I don't need a bulletproof car to protect myself." Pope Francis seemed to be saying that Indonesia was a safe and friendly place for him.
The meetings with different groups took place as planned. The Sisters of Divine Providence received an invitation to participate in the Pope's audience with religious in the cathedral and an invitation to Mass with the faithful in Gelora Karno. During the audience, the Pope said that faith, fraternity and mercy - the theme of his visit - are three virtues that express the path of the Church and the Indonesian State. The audience ended with the blessing of Pope Francis to the religious and all the guests present.
It was very touching to attend the solemn Mass at the Gelora Karno Stadium. About 90,000 faithful, representing each diocese and various parishes, took part. When the Pope's car entered the stadium, we joyfully sang "Viva il Papa, Viva Papa Francisco. Welcome to Indonesia, Pope Francis, Bienvenido Papa Francisco. Even before the Eucharistic celebration, the national songs were sung, which expressed the motto 100 percent Indonesian and 100 percent Catholic even more. Another moving fact was that it began to rain shortly before the Eucharistic celebration. Father Yus invited the faithful to pray 10 'Hail Mary' and surprisingly the weather turned out to be very good; it remained dry until the end of the Eucharistic celebration.
We are very grateful, touched and full of joy that we were able to meet Pope Francis more closely. In the days of that meeting and even afterwards, we did not stop telling every experience, every kindness and every story that accompanied Pope Francis' visit. Our hearts were touched when we saw how he welcomed people with special needs. "Create an excitement, a joyful crowd, so that many people will admire Christ even more and more joy will flow into life."
Thank you, Pope Francis, for finding us, your faithful, as children who miss you, children who are deeply touched when they see your smile adorning your face, even when you look tired – your faithful who learn from the example of a simple shepherd of his flock. We are proud of you; we love you and we pray for you. The time of your return journey has come, just as we will return home to continue our pilgrimage on site. Let us continue to learn to live simplicity as a form of compassion with the poor and with those who suffer, to touch the hands of those we serve, and to make peace with the failures we experience.
"And always remember: Even if you don't reap anything, you must not get tired of sowing." (Pope Francis)
In sisterly love
Sister Maria Rosa, SDP