Former President Jokowi To Ignasius Jonan Considered To Be A Special Envoy To Pope Francis' Funeral

Photo of Pope Francis in St. Maria Mayor's Basilica in Rome, Italy. (Source: ANSA via Vatican News)

JAKARTA - Indonesia will send a special envoy to be determined by President Prabowo Subianto to attend Pope Francis' funeral this weekend, Foreign Minister Sugiono said.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis," Foreign Minister Sugiono told reporters in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 23.

Foreign Minister Sugiono further said President Prabowo would send a special envoy to attend Pope Francis' funeral which is scheduled to be held on Saturday 26 April.

"The plan will be decided who will depart," he explained.

"What yesterday was planned by the 7th President Joko Widodo, Deputy Minister of Finance Thomas Djiwandono and Ignasius Jonan who became chairman of the committee when Pope Francis visited Jakarta," he said.

"It will be decided today," he said, adding "we hope they get there before the funeral takes place."

Yesterday, Foreign Minister Sugiono expressed his condolences for Pope Francis' death by visiting the Vatican Embassy in Jakarta and writing a message of condolences in the guest book.

yesterday I had time to express my condolences to the sub-district Embassy in Jakarta

Previously, the Presidential Spokesperson, Prasetyo Hadi, said that the President would most likely send representatives to replace him. However, who will become Indonesia's official envoy in a global and symbolic event has not been determined.

"For certain reasons, the President seems unable to come directly. However, he plans to send representatives," said Prasetyo.

It is known that the Vatican on Tuesday announced that Pope Francis' funeral ceremony was planned to be held in St. Peter's Square on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Dean of College of Cardinals.

In accordance with the Pope's last will born under the name Jorge Mario Bergoglio released on Monday, he will be buried in St. Maria Mayor's Basilica (Basilika Kepausan Santa Maria Maggiore), Rome, Italy, and not in St. Peter's Basilica.