(The Indo Daily) – President Joko Widodo warmly welcome the visit of the World Catholic Church Leader and Head of State of the Vatican, His Holiness Pope Francis, with a state ceremony held at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (04/11).
This visit was historic because the last papal visit to Indonesia occurred more than three decades ago, namely Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1989.
Upon arriving at the Merdeka Palace grounds, Pope Francis was cheered by school boys and girls wearing variety of Indonesian traditional costumes, while waving Indonesian and Vatican flags. The Pope then was greeted directly by President Joko Widodo who immediately shook hands with the Pope as soon as he got out of the vehicle.
Photo source: Komsos KWI
The state welcoming ceremony was then held, starting with the national anthems of the Vatican and Indonesia, accompanied by the sound of a 21-gun salvo. After that, the two leaders watched a military parade, followed by the introduction of delegations from each country.
At the welcoming ceremony, President Jokowi was accompanied by the Minister of Defense and President-elect Prabowo Subianto, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See Michael Trias Kuncahyono.
Photo source: Komsos KWI
Meanwhile, Pope Francis was accompanied by the Deputy Head of the Evangelization Department Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Archbishop of Jakarta Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Acting Prime Minister Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Minister of Foreign Affairs Archbishop Piero Paul Richard Gallagher, Ambassador of the Holy See to Indonesia Archbishop Piero Pioppo, Bishop of Bandung and Chairman of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI) Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, Head of the Communication Department Paolo Ruffini, and Ignasius Jonan as Chairman of the Committee for Pope Francis’ Visit to Indonesia.
After that, President Jokowi invited Pope Francis to enter the Credential Room of the Merdeka Palace to then fill in the state guest book and take a photo together. The two leaders then had a private talk on the back veranda of the Merdeka Palace.
After that, President Jokowi and Pope Francis walked together to the State Palace. In the room, President Joko Widodo and Pope Francis held meetings with the government, diplomatic corps, and community leaders.
Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Indonesia is the first visit on his tour of the Asia Pacific region. In addition to Indonesia, the Pope will also visit Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.
Written by Staff Writer
Editing by Roffie Kurniawan