Pope Francis' Visit To Indonesia Successfully: KWI Thank You To All Parties

JAKARTA The Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), as well as the Pope Francis Apostulic Visit Committee in Indonesia, thanked all parties who presented the Holy Father in this country on September 3-6. In addition, they also apologized to all parties, especially Jakarta residents whose activities were disrupted, and for something that was less pleasing during the Pope's visit. Pope Francis' visit could be realized, due to involvement and mutual cooperation from various circles, which provided donations of funds, energy, attention, and prayers.

According to KWI Chairman Mgr Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, OSC in Jakarta, Monday 9 September, "We are grateful to Allah for the special grace that is pleased to present the Holy Father of Pope Francis in the midst of the Indonesian nation, and visit his people. May his presence strengthen the brotherhood and unity of the Indonesian nation, as well as strengthen Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and gotong royong which was also conveyed by Pope Francis."

Separately, Chairman of the Pope Francis Visit Committee in Indonesia Ignatius Jonan and Spokesperson for the Visit Committee of Pope Francis RD Thomas Ulun Iswoyo added that the funding for Pope Francis' activities while in Indonesia was borne along with a number of donors, government support and state institutions, including the TNI/Polri apparatus, and the ummah. Not family, individuals, or certain business groups.

"On behalf of and with the KWI Bishops, I would like to thank the entire committee, volunteers, all liturgical and non-liturgy officers who worked hard wholeheartedly over the past few months. Of course, thank you for the good cooperation with EO Dyandra Promosindo. Thank you also to the vendors and committee partners. May Allah bless you all with abundant grace, "said the Chairman of KWI.

Thank you to all those in charge of diocese, community, categorical groups, as well as print and electronic media. Mgr. Antonius also expressed his gratitude to the people who supported this activity in the form of donations and other purposes. Thank you to Nunsio Apostolik (Secretary Throne Ambassador to Infonesia) Mgr. Piero Pioppo and his staff, and infinite gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. President Joko Widodo and all relevant Ministries.

The chairman of KWI added that the Holy Father seemed to be an Indonesian nation full of smiles, friendly, and generous. "Thanks to cultural and religious figures, the Grand Imam of the Istiqal Mosque Prof Nasaruddin Umar who became the host who was full of sympathy and brought a message of brotherhood. Thank you to all citizens who also welcomed Pope Francis' Holy Father as a humanitarian figure," he explained.

Thank you also to the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Authority and its staff for allowing impressive reception. Thank you to the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government for encouraging residents to work from home (WFH) on September 5, 2024, during a grand mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK), which is running in an orderly manner. Mgr Antonius thanked all parties, who had not been mentioned.

Deputy Chairperson of the Pope Francis Apostulist Visit Committee in Indonesia, Muliawan Margadana, explained that the grand mass at GBP on September 5 was attended by no less than 87,000 people, who came not only from Jakarta and its surroundings, but also from all over Indonesia. President Jokowi, together with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, took the time to meet Pope Francis again at the Jakarta Madya Stadium, apart from the State Palace. Indeed, not all seats in GBK are filled with people, for security reasons, apart from his position behind the stage.

No one has entered the green field, which is right in the middle of the GBK stadium. The green grass in the field is maintained, the people do not enter, apart from aesthetics, it is also intended for a 2026 World Cup Qualification football match between the Indonesian national team and the Australian national team on Tuesday (10/9/2024) night. Pope Francis from Argentina is a football lover.