For Catholics in the "Szeklerland" area, where some 600,000 ethnic-Hungarians comprise a majority of the population, the pope's visit -- a first for that region -- is seen as welcome recognition of their identity. In pouring rain, a sea of colourful umbrellas and rain coats formed around the hillside Sumuleu Ciuc shrine early Saturday. Over the weekend, the pope will continue to travel across the country to meet people of diverse faiths and languages, which include 18 officially recognised minorities. In Bucharest, thousands lined the streets to wave to Francis in his pope mobile and filled two cathedrals. The pope's visit follows 20 years after John Paul II received a warm welcome for his perceived role in the fall of Communism.

Source: The Nation Bangkok June 01, 2019 08:37 UTC