Before Pope Francis' Mass, The Weather Was Consistent At Gelora Bung Karno

Pope Francis accompanied PT Pindad's monbil to enter the GBK where the great mass was held. (Photo; INDONESIA PAPAL VISIT COMMITTEE)

JAKARTA - There was a unique incident that occurred before the mass was held with Pope Francis at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) Thursday, September 5. During the day the cloudy hang around the GBK. This condition worries the committee.

Although the weather is cloudy, it does not reduce the enthusiasm of tens of thousands of Indonesian Catholics who will take part in the Supreme Mass with Pope Francis.

A message from WhatsApp Group (WAG) entered the cellphone screen. "Sir, how about this, how come the Holy Father wants to come, for example, how come the weather is cloudy?" The recipient of the WhatsApp message immediately replied, "Don't worry. Soon there will be a sun in the sky Gelora Bung Karno," wrote the WAG member accompanied by an ngkak emoticon.

At around 15.24 WIB, the weather that was cloudy had changed to sunny. The sun divides the GBK field. Now it's the turn of the west tribune to the bright side of the sun.

Yel-yel participants around the stands of the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium continue to echo, adding to the lively atmosphere ahead of the Great Mass in the context of Pope Francis' visit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 3-6, 2024.

The atmosphere became even more lively when the car carrying Pope Francis entered the gate of the GBK stands (after previously crossing the Madya Stadium). Pope Francis' car walked around half the GBK circle towards the Altar Tribune, where the Kudus Ekaristi Celebration was attended by a total of around 86 thousand people, but was divided into two, about 10% at the Madya Stadium.

After getting out of the car, the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church immediately used a wheelchair to the altar to next lead the mass of the great.

Meanwhile, Didi, one of the Komlit staff (Liturgi Commission) of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), said there were around 1,000 liturgical officers involved in the distribution of communication at the grand mass.

"I myself coordinate to collect syborii where the host is in the communion. The Sibori equipment is borrowed and collected from every Parish in the Archdiocese of Jakarta," said the man from Malang, East Java.

To note, the officers who will serve the distribution of the Komuni reached 800 people, consisting of Pastors, Bruders, Sisters, and Fraters from various diocese areas.

Previously, around the GBK Tribune, a number of members of the Misdinar team or Putera Altar were preparing to finalize their service duties.

This rare moment was also conveyed by Lilis and three of her friends from Pontianak, West Kalimantan. When they passed each other in the GBK area, Lilis admitted that she was very grateful to have the opportunity to join mass with Pope Francis.

Lilis said she was happy and enthusiastic to have the opportunity to participate in the holy mass event with the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis.