(ZENIT News / Rome-Jakarta, 04.09.2024).- Pope Francis’ 45th International Apostolic Journey began on Monday, September 2, to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.
Shortly after 4:00 pm on Monday before his departure, some fifteen homeless men and women visited the Holy Father in Casa Santa Marta. They were accompanied by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Pope’s Almoner.
The Pontiff then went by car to the Rome-Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, from where he left at 5:32. pm — on board flight A330 / ITA Airways – for Jakarta.
The plane landed at the :Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 11:16 am local time (6:16 am Rome time) on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Wednesday, September 4: Welcome Ceremony in the Presidential Palace and Courtesy Visit to the President of Indonesia at the Istana Merdeka Presidential Palace
On Wednesday morning, September 4, after celebrating Maas in private, the Holy Father went to the Istana Merdeka Presidential Palace for the country’s welcome ceremony and Courtesy Visit to the President of Indonesia.
On his arrival, Pope Francis was received by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. After the Guard of Honour, the playing of the anthems and the Honours to the Flags, the presentation took place of the respective Delegations.
At the end, the President of the Republic and the Pope went to the Credentials Room to sign the Book of Honour and for the official photo. Then they went to the veranda for a private meeting.
Afterwards, the Holy Father and the President went to the Istana Negara Presidential Palace for the Meeting with the Authorities, the Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps.
Meeting with the Authorities, the Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps in the Istana Negara Room and a Private Meeting with the Members of the Society of Jesus in the Apostolic Nunciature.
At 10:30 am (05:30 am Rome time) the meeting with the Authorities, the Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps took place in the Istana Negara Presidential Room.
After the introductory address of Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, the Holy Father Francis pronounced his address.
At the end of the meeting, the Pope went by car to the Apostolic Nunciature, where he met in private with Members of the Society of Jesus present in the country.
Meeting with the Clergy
Later, the Pope left the Apostolic Nunciature and went to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption for the Meeting with Bishops, Priests and Deacons, the Consecrated, Seminarians and Catechists.
On his arrival at the Cathedral, the Holy Father was received at the entrance by Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, Archbishop of Jakarta, by Monsignor Antonius Subianto Bunyamin, O.S.C., President of the Episcopal Conference, and by the Parish Priest, who brought him the cross and holy water for the aspersion. Finally, two children gave the Pope flowers.
The Holy Father then made his way across the nave and arrived at the altar while the choir sang a song. The President of the Episcopal Conference greeted Pope Francis, followed by testimonies of a priest, a nun and a catechist. The Pope then pronounced his address.
At the end, after the blessing, the group photo with the Bishops and the final song, the Pope went to Maria Square, through the side exit of the Cathedral, to bless the faithful gathered in the Square.
Scholas Occurrentes
At the end of the meeting with the Bishops, Priests, Deacons, the Consecrated, Seminarians and Catechists, Pope Francis arrived at the Grha Pemuda Youth House where the meeting took place with the young people of Scholas Occurrentes.
The Pontiff was received in the patio in front of the Youth House by those responsible for Scholas Occurrentes and 100 children of the Archdiocese of Jakarta. Two children gave him a gift while the others sang a song. Then the Pope went to the Saint Matthias and Saint Thaddeus Room where he met with participants in the Scholas Aldeas project.
Then he was accompanies to the Saint Jacobus Room for a private meeting with the Administrative Council of Scholas Occurrentes.
After a brief conversation with some students, the Holy Father then completed the polyhedron made by the young people, placing the last piece. Finally, the Pope planted a tree and imparted the Final Blessing.
Once the afternoon meetings ended, Pope Francis paused several times before returning to the Nunciature, after approximately one hour, and greeted numerous Indonesians, in particular the children gathered along the way.
