The introduction occurred after a state welcome ceremony for the Pope at the palace.
In addition to President-elect Prabowo, President Jokowi also introduced several members of his cabinet, including Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Human Development and Culture Coordinating Minister Muhadjir Effendy, State Secretariat Minister Pratikno, and Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
Following his meeting with President Jokowi, the 87-year-old Pope, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, will continue his visit with a meeting with members of the Society of Jesuits at the Vatican Embassy in Jakarta.
Later, Pope Francis will meet with bishops, priests, deacons, monks and nuns, seminarians, and catechists at the Jakarta Cathedral, also known as Maria Diangkat ke Surga Church. In the afternoon, he will greet young Catholics from Scholas Occurrentes in Senayan.
The following morning, the Pope will participate in an interfaith dialogue at Istiqlal Mosque, located opposite the Jakarta Cathedral, and later meet beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the Office of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI).
At around 5 p.m. local time, Pope Francis will preside over a grand holy mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium. Thousands of Catholics are expected to attend the event.
Pope Francis will remain in Indonesia until September 6. He is the third Vatican head of state to visit the country, following Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1989.
This visit is part of Pope Francis' Asia-Pacific apostolic journey from September 3-13, the longest trip of his 11-year papacy. He will also visit Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.
Related news: Pope Francis received with state welcome ceremony at Merdeka Palace
Related news: President Jokowi lauds Vatican's support for peace in Palestine
Translator: Benardy F/Rangga P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
