Pope Francis is set to make a historic visit to Indonesia as part of his apostolic journey through Southeast Asia and the Pacific from September 2 to 13, 2024.
This visit marks the first time in 35 years that a pope will visit Indonesia, following the footsteps of Saint Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Saint Pope John Paul II in 1989.
The Pope’s itinerary in Indonesia, from September 3 to 6, 2024, is part of a broader tour that includes stops in Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore.
During his stay in Indonesia, Pope Francis will engage with the faithful through a series of religious and public events aimed at strengthening the Catholic community’s faith and fostering interreligious dialogue.
Archbishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, Chairman of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), expressed the Church’s profound gratitude and excitement for the upcoming visit.
"We are overjoyed to welcome Pope Francis to our country. Preparations have been underway since April, and we are closely coordinating with the government to ensure a smooth and secure visit," he said.
The Church in Indonesia has undertaken significant efforts to prepare for the Pope's arrival.
A 56-member Core Committee and over 100 volunteers have been mobilized to work alongside government authorities on logistics, security, transportation, and media coverage.
One of the highlights of the Pope’s visit will be the Eucharistic Celebration at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on September 5, 2024.
The event is expected to draw thousands of faithful from across the country.
Dioceses and parishes are actively organizing their congregations to participate in the celebration, with priests serving as concelebrants and assisting in the distribution of Communion.
In addition to these logistical preparations, the Church is also focusing on spiritual readiness.
Special prayers are being offered in services nationwide, and catechesis sessions are being held to help the faithful understand the significance of the Pope’s visit.
The theme of the visit, "Faith, Fraternity, and Compassion," reflects the core values Pope Francis seeks to emphasize during his time in Indonesia.
Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo highlighted the importance of not only welcoming Pope Francis physically but also embracing his teachings and example.
He recounted the Pope's transformative experience of God’s mercy as a young man, an experience that has deeply influenced his papacy and continues to inspire his mission.
The media response to the Pope's visit has been extensive, with 732 journalists accredited to cover the event, including 88 journalists traveling with the Pope and a mix of local and international media.
Ignasius Jonan, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, confirmed that all preparations are on track.
The committee is working closely with health teams, security personnel, and traffic management to ensure the visit proceeds smoothly.
The Church in Indonesia is urging all Catholics to reflect on and embody the values of Faith, Fraternity, and Compassion, as taught by Pope Francis.
For those unable to attend in person, the Church encourages participation through television and online streaming services.
Pope Francis's visit to Indonesia is anticipated to be a momentous spiritual milestone for the Catholic community, reaffirming the bonds of faith and unity across the region.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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