World Catholic Church leader Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The Pope, whose real name is Jorge Maria Bergoglio, arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 11:25 a.m. WIB using a regular blue commercial plane belonging to the Italian national airline, ITA Airways.
He appeared to get off the plane using a wheelchair escorted by a security team. It is known that the Argentine Pope’s health condition has indeed declined due to age, so he has experienced limitations in a number of physical activities.
At the airport, the Pope was welcomed by Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Archbishop of Jakarta Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, and Vatican Ambassador to Indonesia Mgr Piero Pioppo.
Then the Pope left the airport in a simple vehicle, namely using a white SUV type Toyota Innova Zenix Hybrid with license plate SCV 1. which is not equipped with bulletproof material or special safety and luxury standard features in the style of leaders of countries in general such as Merci or Limousine or bulletproof cars commonly used by heads of state during visits.
SCV 1. SCV plates are short for Status Cvitatis Vaticanae or Vatican city state or RI 1 if in Indonesia.
If you trace the specifications, Toyota Innova Zenix itself has two types. There is a gasoline-fueled one, and a hybrid or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Meanwhile, the Innova Zenix used to pick up Pope Francis is the HEV type.
Based on Toyota Astra’s official website, the price of the Innova Zenix Hybrid is priced from Rp477 million to Rp630 million.
In terms of dimensions, Innova Zenix has a length of 4,755 mm, a width of 1,850 mm, and a height of 1,795 mm, and a wheel axle distance of 2,850 mm. The engine used is M20A-FXS 4 cylinders, in-line 16-Valve DOHC, chain drive Dual VVT-i.
He will conduct various activities including meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the State Palace. In addition, the pope will meet and have direct dialog with a number of Indonesian religious representatives and leaders. Together with around 80,000 Indonesian Catholics, Pope Francis will also hold a high mass at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK) on Thursday.
Indonesia is the first country visited by Pope Francis in his series of visits in Asia. After that, he will visit Catholics in Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore.
Pope Francis also stayed at the Vatican Embassy to Indonesia in Jakarta during his visit to the country.
Whereas Pope Francis, who is the Head of State of the Vatican as well as the leader of the world’s Catholics, could have stayed at a luxury hotel with luxurious and premium facilities.
But instead of a luxury hotel, Pope Francis chose to stay at the Vatican Embassy for Indonesia.
So what is the reason Pope Francis chose to stay at the Vatican Embassy?
Deputy Media Coordinator of the Committee for the Visit of Pope Francis Anthonius Gregorius explained why Pope Francis chose to stay at the Vatican Embassy.
Anthonius said the reason the Pope stayed at the Vatican Embassy was because he wanted to stay in a place with the same atmosphere as his original residence.
Previously, the Chairman of the Committee for the Visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia, Ignasius Jonan, announced that Pope Francis would not stay at a hotel while in Indonesia.
Here is the schedule of Pope Francis’ activities while in Indonesia:
September 3, 2024
The Pope arrives at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, at 11:30 am. At this time, there will be an official Indonesian welcome for the Holy Father.
September 4, 2024
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the State Palace at 9:00 am. Pope Francis will depart from the Apostolic Nunciature (the Vatican embassy in Jakarta) on Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur to the State Palace on Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara;
At 4:00 pm, Pope Francis will visit the Cathedral Church. Pope Francis will depart from the Apostolic Nunciature to the Cathedral Church on Jalan Katedral. Pope Francis will meet with cardinals, bishops, priests, and sisters.
September 5, 2024
Pope Francis will visit the Istiqlal Mosque at 08:30 a.m. until completion. Pope Francis will depart from the Apostolic Nunciature to the Istiqlal Mosque.
He will then hold a meeting with beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the office of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI) at approximately 10:15 am.
At 5 pm, the Pope will hold a grand mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK), Jakarta. This activity will be attended by up to 80 thousand Catholics.
September 6, 2024
Pope Francis will continue his journey from Jakarta to Papua New Guinea. He will depart from the capital to Port Moresby at around 09.45 WIB through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
