Jokowi Welcomes Pope Francis To Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (central) gave a press statement after a meeting on Pope Francis' arrival at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (3/9/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo welcomed the Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church throughout the World, Pope Francis during his visit to Indonesia on September 3-6, 2024.

"On behalf of the Indonesian people, I warmly welcome and thank you for the very noble visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia. Welcome to the very noble Sri Pope Francis to Indonesia," said President Jokowi, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 3.

President Jokowi said he had just held the last meeting with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Jakarta Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo at the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday.

The meeting was to discuss preparations for Pope Francis' arrival in Indonesia on Tuesday, which is estimated at 11.30 WIB, via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten.

President Jokowi assessed that Pope Francis' visit was a very historic visit, and had been planned for several years, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"And it is the third visit after Pope Paul's most glorious 7th visit in 1970, and Pope John Paul's 2nd visit 1989," the President said.

During his four-day visit, the Head of State said Sri Pope Francis would hold state meetings, meetings with diplomatic corps and community representatives, as well as interfaith figures in Istiqlal.

The Pope will also lead Pope Francis' Holy Mass at Gelora Gelora Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) on Thursday (5/9).