Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, among other ministers, member of the Presidential Advisory Council, Gandi Sulistiyanto, and Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See, Michael Trias Kuncahyono, welcomed Pope Francis on arrival in Indonesia.
Other representatives from the Vatican present included Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, President of the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia Antonius Subianto Bunyamin, Ambassador of the Holy Land to Indonesia Bishop Piero Pipoppo, Secretariat of the Vatican Embassy Michael Andrew Pawlowicsz, as well as Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Visit of the Holy Father Pope Francis Ignatius Jonan.
Based on ANTARA's monitoring, Pope Francis and his entourage arrived at the VVIP Terminal of Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Soetta) aboard a blue ITA Airways Z400 commercial aircraft bearing the Vatican and Indonesian flags at around 11:25 WIB.
Pope Francis got off the plane in a wheelchair and was escorted by several security officers.
The Pope was then presented with a hand bouquet specially made to welcome his arrival. It highlighted the meaning of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," which is the Indonesian nation's motto that means "different but still one."
Pope Francis continues his journey to the Vatican Embassy in Jakarta.
Pope Francis will make an apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.
Indonesia became the first country for Pope Francis' visit on September 3-6, and it was the third visit after Pope Paul IV visited in 1970 and the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1989.
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Translator: Azmi Syamsul Ma'arif, Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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