SOE Minister Shows Off Special Cars For Pope Francis: Made In Pindad, Cool!

Maung MV3 Pope Mobile will be used by Pope Francis to greet the mass akbar congregation at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) complex. (Photo: Doc. Pindad)

JAKARTA - Indonesia became the first country Pope Francis visited in a series of visits to Asia-Pacific.

Pope Francis will use the Pope's car or known as Pope Mobile made by PT Pindad.

This special car for the Holy See Leader of the Vatican prepared by Indonesia will be used to greet the mass akbar congregation at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) complex, Jakarta, this afternoon.

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir also showed off Maung MV3, a special car for the Pope on his Instagram social media @erickthohir.

PT Pindad made a special vehicle for Pope Francis to be used when he met Catholics in Jakarta, Erick wrote on his official Instagram @erickthohir, quoted Thursday, September 5.

Erick said that Pindad made a special design to suit Pope Francis' needs.

Modifications were also carried out at the workshop owned by the Defense BUMN.

Pindad Maung-based tactical vehicles are modified into a 'Pope Mobile' or vehicle that the Pope usually uses when visiting. Cool, yes," he said.

Previously reported, Pope Francis' Visit Committee Spokesperson, Father Thomas Ulun Ismoyo said Pope Francis would come to Pope Francis' Grand Mass at the Gelora Bung Karno (SUGBK) Main Stadium in an open car.

"The Pope will come in an open car that has been prepared by PT Pindad, Maung," said Father Thomas to reporters at the courtyard of the Cathedral Church, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 4.

The grand mass activity will be attended by 60,000 people. Father Thomas detailed that 26,000 of them were the education community, school children, students, and teachers and accompanying lecturers.

Pope Mobile's Construction Is Directly Supervised By The Vatican's Holy See Team

Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha explained that the preparation of the tactical vehicle made by PT Pindad was in accordance with the direction of the Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto.

In the process, it was directly supervised by the Commissioner of PT Pindad Lt. Gen. TNI Retired. Putranto collaborated with a team from the Holy See of the Vatican.

"Pope Francis will use a national car made by PT Pindad, namely Maung MV3, to inspect people at the Holy Mass at GBK. This car has been modified by adding a rooftop for protection from heat and rain," said Brigadier General Edwin in Jakarta, Tuesday, September 3, confiscated by Antara.

Edwin also revealed that Maung MV3, which will be used as Pope Mobile, has been prepared since May 2024.

"We hope that this preparation can provide maximum comfort and security for Pope Francis during his visit to Indonesia," he said.