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Harley-Davidson bikers who flocked to the Vatican to see Pope Francis came away struck by his friendliness and closeness to the people.
“To be here and see the Pope is absolutely amazing. He’s so friendly, he’s just so friendly,” Bob from the Lakeside, England, chapter told the Catholic News Agency.
His fellow Lakeside member Harry agreed. “He’s so friendly and he comes to you,” he commented.
A Swiss motorcyclist went even further in her esteem for the new Pontiff. “For me, he is the best Pope now — Papa Francesco,” said Simone from Lucerne.
Thousands of Harley-Davidson owners from Europe and abroad, in their trademark leather vests, came to Rome to take part in the brand’s 110th anniversary celebrations.
Via della Conciliazione, the street that leads to St Peter’s Square, was packed with rows of Harleys parked along both sides of the road, about four or five bikes deep. Many of the motorcyclists decked out their rides with flags, stickers with the Vatican keys or pictures of Pope Francis.
The Pope offered a short greeting to the motorcyclists after celebrating a Mass for the Gospel of Life weekend that was organised by the Vatican as part of the ongoing Year of Faith.
His homily underscored the importance of following God’s call for living a fruitful life, contrasting it with self-centred lifestyles that lead to slavery and death.
The Associated Press said there was something a bit incongruous about the Harley crowd — known for its “Freedom” motto, outlaw image and adventuresome spirit — taking part in a solemn papal Mass to commemorate a 1995 encyclical on the inviolability of human life.
“Evangelium Vitae is a roadmap of the Church’s teaching against abortion, euthanasia and murder,” Associated Press reported. “Harley’s advertising for its 2013 bike collection reads ‘Live life on your own terms. More than 30 ways to defy the status quo’.”
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi noted that there were probably quite a few Catholic riders in the crowd and that, regardless, anyone is welcome to a papal Mass.
“I know great people who have big bikes,” he quipped.
Sources:
Image: La Repubblica
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News category: World.
