They are Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The three Wise Men arrived at the Vatican to attend Pope Francis' General Audience. This time they did not come from the East, but from Puerto Rico, specifically, from the city of Juana Díaz. There, people celebrate an Epiphany tradition, which will mark its 139th anniversary.
KING BALTASAR OF JUANA DIAZ
The Juana Díaz celebration was born in 1884 by a secular Spanish father. Puerto Rico is one of the countries that still continues this tradition. It is not a parade. We have a caravan that goes through several towns on the island of Puerto Rico. Then we end in a public square in our town, where a Mass is celebrated. And that is what makes the difference.
The three Wise Men were able to greet Pope Francis during the audience. He asked them to go around St. Peter's Square spreading joy.
KING MELCHIOR OF JUANA DÍAZ
We had the opportunity to be present at the audience and meet him with a delegation of 76 Puerto Ricans. It has been a great blessing for us.
KING GASPAR DE JUANA DÍAZ
When we talked to the Holy Father, he was very, very happy. And he told us: 'Go and walk around the city, so that people can see you and meet you, which is a very nice thing to do.''
Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar strolled through the Roman streets greeting everyone they met. Some even took the opportunity to take pictures with them.
Bagpipe music began to play in St. Peter's Square as the group, coming from Campobasso, a town in central Italy, left the audience.
ANTONIO ROMANO
Member of the Zampognari di Bojano
We are here today because we participated in the Pope's General Audience. We listened to his catechesis, his words to us, and his exhortation. Then, he came to greet us. We wish him all the best for his health, for Christmas and for his 80th birthday, which he celebrated a few days ago. We told him, 'Holiness, we pray for you every day. Right now we are praying a lot for peace.'
Accompanied by music, the three Wise Men continue on their way, spreading joy and collecting letters this Christmas season.
CA
TR: KG
