Pope Francis will make an apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore on September 2-13, 2024.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Pope Francis' upcoming visit to Indonesia on September 3-6 aims to bring a humanitarian mission and to continue cultivating fraternity, according to the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI).
The conference's chairman, Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, revealed that Indonesia was ready to welcome the Pope in 2020.
"However, because of COVID, the visit was canceled," he remarked here on Wednesday (August 28).
He expects that with Pope Francis' visit, Indonesians could become the "agents" of fraternity in Asia.
Meanwhile, Archbishop of Jakarta Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo stated that the Vatican is keen to learn more about Islam in Indonesia.
He explained that several Islamic leaders from Indonesia were invited to speak at various events held by the Vatican.
"(It is) because Islam in Indonesia is different. Hence, it is interesting for our brothers and sisters in Europe, especially for the Vatican," Suharyo noted.
He also highlighted that the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral, standing side by side, symbolize harmonious life in Indonesia.
According to Suharyo, Pope Francis' visit was also made to emphasize that the spirit of harmony and fraternity should continue to be maintained and promoted.
Some 60 bishops, including one from Australia and 10 from Asian countries, would welcome Pope Francis.
Pope Francis will make an apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore on September 2-13, 2024.
Indonesia is the first country that Pope Francis will visit during his apostolic journey to the Asian region.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia on the afternoon of September 3.
Thereafter, on September 4, the leader of the Catholic community is scheduled to meet President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
On September 5, Pope Francis is scheduled to attend an interfaith meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, followed by a meeting with beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the KWI Office.
On the same day, the Pope will lead a mass at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium, with around 80 thousand Catholics expected to attend.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Visit of the Holy Father Pope Francis, Ignasius Jonan, appealed to the public, who did not have tickets or invitations, to watch the live broadcast of the mass from their respective churches or televisions at home.
"If you come but you do not have the ticket, you definitely cannot enter (the stadium)," he noted.
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Translator: Cindy Frishanti Octavia, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Arie Novarina
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