Riding A Simple Car, Pope Francis Arrives At The Vatican Embassy

JAKARTA - At around 12.30 WIB, Tuesday, September 3, Pope Francis using Kijang Innova Zenix SCV 1 arrived at the Vatican Embassy on Jalan Merdeka Timur.

Showing simplicity, Pope Francis' vehicle and entourage arrived under the standard escort of a number of Paspampres cars and several other vehicles that were more luxurious than the vehicle used by Pope Francis, which is estimated to be only around Rp600 million.

Previously, the leader of the World Catholic Church landed on the ITA Airways commercial plane at around 11.25 WIB.

As soon as he left the special elevator, Pope Francis was immediately greeted with a bouquet of flowers brought by two small daughters accompanied by Pure Marco Solo Kewuta SVD, a Staff of the Papal Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue.

The Pope then gave greetings and blessings to the two flower bouquets.

Pope Francis was greeted by the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, following Wantimpres member Gandi Sulistiyanto, Indonesian Ambassador to the Vatican Michael Trias Kuncahyono.

Furthermore, Nuntius Mgr Piero Pioppo, Chairman of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, Mgr Antonius Subianto Bunjamin OSC, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, and Chairman of the Pope's Visit Committee Ignasius Jonan.

The Pope then headed for the special car that had been provided to then get out of the Soekarno Hatta airport area and go straight to the Embassy of Vatican or Nunciatura Apostolica for Indonesia on Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur, Gambir, Central Jakarta.

Pope Francis is scheduled to be in Jakarta -Indonesia for 4 days. A number of agendas have been waiting for him, namely visiting the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo, then visiting the Istiqal Mosque, Cathedral Church, Beneficiary Communities from the Pasahan Work Program in Indonesia.

While the atmosphere at the Media Center at the Mandarin Hotel, Jalan Thamrin Menteng Central Jakarta, since the morning journalists have been carrying out activities to monitor the arrival of Pope Francis and his entourage.

Registration officer, Dio said, since the morning there have been a number of journalists from foreign media including Italy.

"About 15 people but only registered around 8 people. Yes, maybe friends still have activities outside," said Dio