Head of the Papua Province Communication and Informatics Office, Jeri Agus Yudianto, stated on Friday that his side is intensifying coordination and consolidation with PNG.
"On Wednesday (August 21), we discussed with PNG regarding preparations for Pope Francis' visits to Vanimo on September 8," he remarked.
According to Yudianto, the meeting discussed the involvement of Indonesian nationals to witness Pope Francis' visit.
"From the meeting, we can inform that more than 200 Catholics have registered through the Jayapura Diocese to attend Pope Francis' visit," he stated.
Yudianto remarked that once the activity concluded, the Catholic Papuans at Vanimo would immediately return to Papua on the same day, considering that accommodation in Vanimo was limited.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Consul General for PNG, Alexander Tangkuman Imanuel, stated that Indonesian border crossers who would attend the agenda must follow the set administrative provisions.
"We are ready to help Catholics to meet the requirements," he noted.
Imanuel then highlighted that his side would also support transportation for Papuan Catholics during their visit to Vanimo.
"Transportation and accommodation in Vanimo are limited. We must seek a solution for this," Imanuel stated.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Vanimo, PNG, on September 8, 2024, at around 15:15 local time.
The Pope will also hold a public audience at Vanimo Field without conducting a mass and will make a private visit to Baro Village.
Prior to his visit to PNG, the Pope will visit Indonesia on September 3. On the next day, he is scheduled to meet President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
On September 5, the Pope will lead a mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
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Translator: Qadri Pratiwi, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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