Pope Francis will receive Jokowi Stateside at the Palace

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Ministry of Protocol and Consular Affairs Director Andy Rachmianto said that World Catholic Church Leader Pope Francis will be received stateside by President Joko Widodo (Jokoiw) at Istana Merdeka, Central Jakarta, during his visit to Indonesia on 3-6 September 2024.

“In accordance with the events of the program that we have discussed with the Vatican, the Pope plans to arrive in Jakarta on September 3, 2024. On September 4, as a state guest, of course, there will be an official state ceremony, will be received by Mr. President at the Merdeka Palace and there will also be activities at the State Palace,” Andy said during a press conference at the Presidential Palace, Central Jakarta, Monday (26/8/2024).

Andy explained that Pope Francis will be treated as a guest of state as well as a leader of the people, especially Catholics. On September 5, 2024 in the evening, Andy said, Akbar Mass will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Complex (GBK), both at Madya Stadium and at GBK Main Stadium involving approximately 90 thousand Catholics.

“And there are several other activities that will involve Pope Francis. There will be events at the Istiqlal Mosque with the High Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, there will also be events at the Cathedral Building around the area as well,” Andy said.

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In addition to the Akbar Mass, on September 5, 2024, a major international event will be held, namely the International Sustainability Forum (ISF) at Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), which Jokowi will also attend. Andy hopes that people can anticipate the flow of traffic at the time of the Pope's visit and activities in Jakarta.

“There will also be an (ISF) dinner event that will take place in the Monas complex and also around the estate,” Andy said.

It was reported that the leader of the World Catholic Church Pope Francis will travel apostolic to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore on September 2-13, 2024. The visiting committee of the Holy Father Francis said Indonesia would be the first country the Pope visited.

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After leaving Indonesia, the Pope continued visits to Port Moresby and Vanimo (Papua New Guinea) on 6-9 September 2024, Dili (East Timor) on 9-11 September 2024, and Singapore on 11-13 September 2024. In preparation for the visit in Indonesia, the Vatican's predecessor team has conducted several site surveys in Jakarta.

So far, the team has confirmed the Pope will be present in Jakarta. The State Police of the Republic of Indonesia (Polri) deployed 4,520 personnel in Operation Tribata Jaya to secure the visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia on 3-6 September 2024.