Pope Francis Will Travel With Maung During Greeting The Grand Mass Congregation At GBK Thursday This Week

Pope Francis arrived at Soetta Airport, Tangerang, picked up by Toyota Innova Zenix, Tuesday, September 3, 2024. (doc Indonesia Papal Visit Committee)

JAKARTA - Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church throughout the World Pope Francis will board a domestically made tactical vehicle 'Maung' while greeting the mass congregation at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) complex, Jakarta, on Thursday 5 September.

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.

It was also revealed that the Maung vehicle had been prepared since May 2024.

"We hope that this preparation can provide maximum comfort and security for Pope Francis during his visit to Indonesia," said Karo Public Relations of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense Secretariat General.

Pope Francis arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday 3 September. He flew from Rome, Italy, on a commercial plane and landed at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten.

The Pope's arrival was greeted with a welcoming ceremony from the Indonesian government. Several officials were present to welcome the arrival of Pope Francis.

The Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church throughout the world then continued his journey to the Vatican Embassy in Jakarta. There, Pope Francis will spend the night until September 6, 2024.

On the second day of his visit to Indonesia, the Pope is scheduled to visit the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, and meet the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo.

Pope Francis then continued his agenda meeting the congregation at the Cathedral and the youth congregation at Grha Pemuda.

The Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church throughout the world on Thursday, September 5, is scheduled to visit the Jakarta Istiqlal Mosque, then at 17.00 WIB lead the Holy Mass Akbar at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta.

Finally, on Friday 6 September, Pope Francis will leave Jakarta for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and departs from Soekarno Hatta International Airport.