Indonesian Foreign Minister: The Government is Ready to Welcome Pope Francis to Indonesia.

Jakarta — The Indonesian government welcomes the visit of Pope Francis, who is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta from September 3 to 6, 2024. In anticipation of this arrival, the government is thoroughly preparing all the necessary requirements for Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, stated that the Indonesian government is currently preparing for the arrival of Pope Francis in Indonesia. Previously, the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), sent a letter to Pope Francis through the Apostolic Nuncio in Jakarta.

“Yes, Pope Francis plans to visit Indonesia.” “We are currently preparing everything, together with the Holy See and relevant stakeholders, the Indonesian government continues to make good preparations for the visit,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Acting Deputy for Coordination of National Unity at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Janedjri M. Gaffar, stated that his team is preparing for the arrival of Pope Francis. In accordance with the President’s directive through the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto, the government will ensure that Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia will proceed in an orderly, safe, and smooth manner.

“According to the instructions from the Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, we will all discuss the readiness of all elements so that the visit of Pope Francis can proceed smoothly,” said Janedjri.

He added that the government is currently giving special attention to two activities, namely the smooth running of Pope Francis’s events in Jakarta and his activities in Timor Leste, as they could potentially lead to the movement of Indonesian citizens from East Nusa Tenggara to Dili.

“The movement of Indonesian citizens from NTT to Dili in large numbers certainly requires management as it will be related to aspects of security, health, and logistical readiness, thus necessitating preparations in the form of anticipatory measures by the Ministry/Agencies and relevant stakeholders.” “On the other hand, it is also important to ensure the smoothness of the series of activities of the Pope in Jakarta,” he said.

The same sentiment was expressed by the Secretary General of the Committee for Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia from the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, Father Siswantoko. According to Father Siswantoko, the series of activities for Pope Francis in Jakarta has been optimally prepared by the committee.

“We from the committee express our appreciation to the Government. The Pope’s visit to Indonesia is a manifestation of the state’s presence in serving the Catholic community throughout Indonesia,” he said.

Romo Siswantoko also conveyed that his team has maximized various preparations in welcoming Pope Francis to Indonesia.

“We will also maximize our preparations to welcome the arrival of Pope Francis so that everything can proceed safely and smoothly,” he concluded.