They are all Mexicans, but they come from California to see and listen to Pope Francis. Along with Texas, California is one of the states with the largest Mexican communities in the United States.
This group of more than 50 people has set out on a pilgrimage adventure. Their first stop was Rome and the Vatican.
ROBERTO VALENCIO OCHOA
“It's something big. Many people want to come to this place to get to know the Holy Father, the history of Rome... We come here to learn from Padre Pio. We are going to go to where St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina was and from here we are going to travel to Jerusalem.”
For many of them, this was the first time they've seen Pope Francis. It's hard for them to contain their excitement because they say being so close to him was a gift. They assure that this experience is one that makes the life of a Catholic because this encounter with the pope brings them closer to God.
DINORA CORRAL
“I think we're going to return changed, touched by God and the Holy Spirit. I hope it's going to be a change in many different ways.”
They have spent some very good days in Rome, and now they pack their suitcases again to travel to the other most special place in the world for Christians, the Holy Land.
