JAKARTA, 10 september 2024 (TATOLI) – With over 80,000 Catholics crammed into the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Pope Francis concluded the open liturgy by expressing his gratitude to the people of Indonesia.
Prior to wrapping up the solemn Miss, the Holy Father thanked the Indonesian Catholics and the Church for their faith and fraternity.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, to the President of the Episcopal Conference, and to other bishops of the Indonesian Catholic Church, who, together with priests and deacons, continue to serve the holy people of God in this country,” Pope Francis said before concluding the solemn Mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on friday.
In addition, the Holy Father expressed gratitude to volunteers, clergymen and women, and the sick and old in particular. “Keep praying for you”.
“My journey to Indonesia has come to an end, and I want to express my gratitude for all the good things I have received here,” Holy Father said.
His Holiness also expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, the civil and security authorities, and especially to the Indonesian people. “Brothers and sisters, may God bless you and make you grow to preserve peace and fraternal love.”
Meanwhile, President Widodo stated that Indonesian Catholics are delighted that Pope Francis is here following his ordination by the Holy Father prior to the solemn Mass.
“To all Indonesian Catholics, today we are very pleased with Pope Francis’ presence in Indonesia,” Widodo said in a video released at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Today (06/09), the Holy Father will continue his journey to Papua New Guinea (PNG), as the second country of his tour to Asia and the Pacific.
Pope Francis left Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International Airport at 9.45 am Jakarta time and arrived at Port Moresby Jackson International Airport at approximately 6.50 pm PNG time.
After arriving in PNG, the Pope will rest immediately for his visit the next day.
According to the agenda, during his visit to PNG, the Holy Father will visit the Governor General, hold meetings with authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps, visit Children of Street Ministry and Callan Services, hold meetings with bishops, priests, deacons, nuns, and seminarians, meet with PNG Prime Minister James Marape, and preside over the solemn mass.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
