Jokowi Follows Prabowo's Instruction To Attend The Pope's Cemetery

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JAKARTA - Indonesian Minister of Human Rights (HAM) Natalius Pigai and 7th president of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo are preparing to attend the Pope Francis funeral which took place in Vatican City, Saturday.

"We departed from the hotel at 07.30 local time. The ceremony is estimated at 10.00 p.m. local time," Pigai said when confirmed in Jakarta, Saturday.

Apart from Pigai and Jokowi, there were also two other Indonesian envoys who attended the ceremony, namely the Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia Thomas Djiwandono and the Chairperson of the Pope Francis' Welcoming Committee to Indonesia in 2024 Ignasius

Pigai said the four Indonesian envoys wore black coats, black tie, and caps at the last tribute ceremony to the Pope.

Three representatives of the Republic of Indonesia who have been sent by President Prabowo Subianto have been in Rome, Italy since Friday (25/6), while he has arrived there since Thursday (24/6).

In addition, he revealed that he had also attended mass at St. Peter's Basilica along with Jonan and Thomas. "We stayed at the same hotel and on the same floor in Rome," said Pigai.

Pope Francis' funeral ceremony which took place in Vatican City began when the coffin of the World Catholic leader was taken to St. Peter Square on Saturday.

Pigai said that United States President Donald Trump also attended Pope Francis' funeral. Trump and his wife, Melania, were among the last guests to arrive at the ceremony.

According to the Roma Police authorities, more than 160 delegates from various countries and international organizations have arrived to attend the funeral. The late Francis will be buried in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Francis, who is the first Latin American Pope, passed away on April 21 at his residence, Vatican, at the age of 88.