Of the passionate believers that were there that day, some had traveled all the way from Central and South America to see the Pope and others had spent days on foot traveling from another state. Many of these people had been adjusting their entire travel plans in accordance with the Pope’s schedule. Seeing the lines of overcrowding reporters and cameras from television stations around the country, I wondered while being tossed about by the crowd if this was similar to those groups that follow idols. As the Pope moves, so do the believers, as well as those trying to sell goods to these crowds so as not to miss this golden opportunity. All the while, the anti-Christians also take advantage of this opportunity to give their speeches. Just one word out of the Pope’s mouth can move not only a single country but also the entire world.While living in the U.S., I encounter many opportunities when I can sense that Japan is a very small nation, for better or for worse. Seeing all the people who came wishing to get just a glimpse of the Pope, as well as people who were unable to see him but listened with tearful eyes as he spoke on live broadcast, I found myself deeply appreciating the magnitude of the Pope who heads the world’s oldest and largest organization.
REPOTER
Moved to Washington, D.C., in 2012 after getting married. Due to her husband’s work, shortly thereafter they moved to Oahu, Hawaii, then returned to Washington, D.C., in 2015. She lives together with her husband, their son born near the end of 2014 and one Shiba dog.
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