Jakarta, Olemah.Com - Pope Francis has begun his apostolic journey to Asia, with his first visit to Indonesia. The head of the Vatican State arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, and will remain in the country until Thursday, September 5, 2024.
On the first day of his visit, Pope Francis met with President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta. The Pope was warmly welcomed on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at around 9:35 AM WIB. He arrived in an Innova Zenix car with the license plate SCV 1.
Pope Francis was dressed in his signature all-white attire known as a cassock. This outfit is a long white robe paired with black trousers and matching formal shoes. Over his cassock, the Pope also wore a mozzetta, a short cape that symbolizes his authority as the supreme leader of the Catholic Church. He also wore a zucchetto, a white skullcap typical of Catholic clergy.
Upon arriving at the State Palace, Pope Francis was greeted with a grand state ceremony. A marching band and mounted troops welcomed him, followed by children dressed in traditional costumes from various regions of the archipelago, waving the flags of Indonesia and the Vatican.
Pope Francis met with President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, where they held talks in the meeting room. According to Yusuf Permana, Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretariat, the visit began with an official ceremony in the front courtyard of Merdeka Palace. After that, the Pope was scheduled to meet with several religious leaders at the State Palace.
In addition to President Jokowi, several high-ranking government officials were present to welcome the Pope, including Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, State Secretary Pratikno, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, and Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy.
Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia is a historic moment eagerly awaited by many, including the public who came to greet and see the world leader of the Catholic Church in person. The Pope is also expected to deliver messages of peace and interfaith harmony during his stay in Indonesia.
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