Pope Francis in Indonesia: a journey of solidarity and closeness
The Pontiff begins his 12-day tour of Asia and Oceania by meeting refugees, the elderly and the homeless in Jakarta. The theme of migrants and human solidarity remains at the heart of his apostolic mission.
Pope Francis in Indonesia: a journey of solidarity and closeness.
Pope Francis began his 45th apostolic journey, the longest of his pontificate, with a visit to Indonesia, the first of four countries planned for his 12-day tour of Asia and Oceania. Arriving in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, the Pope emphasized the central theme of his mission: closeness to the poor, migrants and the marginalized.
After the welcoming ceremony at Jakarta International Airport, in the presence of the Minister for Religious Affairs, the Pontiff went to the Apostolic Nunciature. Here he met with groups of refugees welcomed by the Jesuit Refugee Service, orphaned children raised by Dominican nuns, and the elderly and homeless supported by the Indonesian Community of Sant'Egidio. These symbolic meetings represent a strong message of inclusion and solidarity for the Pope's first day in Indonesia, where no other official engagements are planned, also to allow him to recover from the long journey of over 13 hours and the time difference.
The issue of migrants also emerged forcefully during the flight to Indonesia, when Pope Francis had the traditional meeting with journalists in tow. Visibly moved, he received a torch, a symbol of hope for migrants, donated by a French journalist who had obtained it from a migrant during a report on the Ocean Viking ship of SOS Mediterranée. The Pope thanked the journalist for his work in telling the stories of migrants, reiterating that “migrants are in my heart”. He also reiterated his position against pushbacks: “Pushing back migrants is a grave sin”, he said, criticizing restrictive policies and supporting those involved in rescue operations and lifesaving at sea.
During the same flight, Pope Francis received additional gifts from journalists, including the T-shirt of an 11-year-old boy recently murdered in Spain and the glove of a volunteer who collects plastic lost in the sea, from the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua. These symbolic gestures highlight the Pope's commitment to a more humane and compassionate narrative towards migrants and victims of injustice.
In the coming days, Pope Francis will follow a busy agenda that will include the welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, a courtesy visit to the outgoing President of the Republic Joko Widodo, and a meeting with the authorities, civil society and the Diplomatic Corps. In addition, the Pope will meet with his Jesuit brothers in a private meeting at the Apostolic Nunciature. Significant meetings will follow with the bishops and clergy in the Cathedral of the Assumption, and a dialogue with the young people of Scholas Occurrentes in the Youth House, culminating with the inauguration of the Indonesian headquarters of the organization.
This trip represents a pivotal moment for Pope Francis, whose commitment to the poor, refugees and migrants continues to be a pillar of his pontificate. His words and actions during the visit to Indonesia resonate strongly, especially in a global context increasingly characterized by divisions and conflicts. Pope Francis thus reiterates his message of peace, welcome and universal solidarity, inviting nations and peoples to reflect on the importance of shared humanity.
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