Tuesday Afternoon, Pope Francis Arrives In Indonesia

Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia, Tuesday, September 3, 2024. (Indonesia Papal Visit Committee)

JAKARTA - The leader of the world Catholic Church, Pope Francis, arrived in Indonesia. Pope Francis' plane landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Tuesday, September 3 at around 11.26 WIB.

Wearing a wheelchair, Pope Francis got off the plane at around 11.40 WIB. Upon arrival at the airport, Pope Francis was greeted by Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Archbishop of Jakarta Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo, Vatican Ambassador Mgr Piero Pioppo, Indonesian Ambassador to the Vatican Holy Throne Trias Kuncahyono, Chairman of KWI Mgr Antonius Bunyamin OSC, and chairman of committee Ignasius Jonan.

The 87-year-old leader of the Catholic Church previously departed from International Airport Leonardo Dabinda in Fiumicino, Rome, with a night flight covering a distance of 11,351 kilometers for more than 13 hours to Indonesia.

After leaving Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Pope Francis wore a white car departing for the Vatican Embassy in Jakarta. The Pope was seen sitting next to the driver. Several times Pope Francis smiled and waved out the window.

Pope Francis will be in Indonesia on September 3-6, 2024. For four days and three nights in Indonesia, Pope Francis chose to stay at the Vatican Embassy, Jakarta.

During his visit, Pope Francis as the head of state of the Vatican will make a state visit by meeting President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the State Palace, Wednesday, September 4. The Pope is also scheduled to visit the Jakarta Cathedral Church and the Istiqlal Mosque, as well as carry out several other activities. Pope Francis will also lead the ekarist celebration at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK) on September 5, 2024.

The theme of Pope Francis' visit this time was "Faith, Fraternity, Compassion" or "Iman, Brotherhood, and Dozens of Feelings".

Pope Francis is listed as the third whale to visit Indonesia. Previously, President Soeharto welcomed Pope Paul VI's visit, December 3-4, 1970. Indonesia has also been visited by Pope John Paul II on October 9-14, 1989.

Indonesia will become the 66th country that Pope Francis has visited since his papal year began in 2013. After Indonesia until Friday 6 September, the Pope is scheduled to visit Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore before returning to Rome on 13 September.