Officers Clean 19.82 Tons Of Waste Left By Mass Akbar At GBK

JAKARTA - The janitor finished cleaning up the garbage left over from the Mass Akbar activities led by Pope Francis at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK), Central Jakarta.

There are 700 personnel and infrastructure deployed for cleaning before mass, starting from the Central Jakarta Environmental Sub-Department (LH), South Jakarta LH Sub-dept., West Jakarta LH Sub-Department, and Water Agency UPS.

"The total volume of waste managed is 90 m3 equivalent to 19,82 tons," said Head of the DKI Jakarta Environmental Agency Asep Kuswanto in his statement, Friday, September 6.

The cleaning locations include the GBK Main Stadium Area, Madya Stadium, Around Jalan Asia Afrika, and Jalan Jenderal Sudirman.

In handling cleanliness, officers used 20 units of cross cars, 2 trucks of mini drums, 2 truck compactors, and 16 road sweepers.

"Cleaning also involves 300 church volunteers and 100 GBK officers," said Asep.

It is known that the holy mass at GBK was Pope Francis' last activity in Indonesia. Previously, Pope Francis had met with President Joko Widodo at the State Palace, government officials, interfaith leaders, bishops, priests, monks, church servants, the younger generation and people with disabilities. Pope Francis also visited the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta.

At the holy mass event at the GBK stadium, Pope Francis went around greeting tens of thousands of Catholics using Maung made by PT Pindad at the GBK Intermediate Stadium and GBK Main Stadium.

Catholics also welcomed Pope Francis with cheers while singing Viva Il Papa, and Christ Raja, as well as Ave Maria.

Catholics also raised the Red and White flag and the Vatican flag. Pope Francis also smiled and gave blessings to Catholics present at GBK.

In his sermon, Pope Francis gave a message to the Indonesian people not to get tired of dreaming and building a peace civilization. According to Pope Francis, Indonesia is very beautiful with diversity so it must continue to strengthen brotherhood and unity.

"Brothers and sisters, I also want to say to you, to this nation, to this amazing and diverse archipelago, don't get tired of sailing and spreading your nets, don't get tired of dreaming and rebuilding a peace civilization. Always be brave to dream of brotherhood," concluded Pope Francis.

This holy mass with Pope Francis was attended by approximately 86,000 Catholics from all over Indonesia. This holy mass was held in two different stadiums in the SUGBK complex, namely as many as 60,000 people will be at the GBK Main Stadium, while another 26,000 people will be at the GBK Intermediate Stadium.

This holy mass with Pope Francis is a special moment for Catholics, considering the opportunity to meet directly with the Pope in Indonesia is very rare. The Pope's last visit to Indonesia took place in 1989