President Jokowi Receives Pope Francis at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo receives an official state visit of Pope Francis at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (09/04). (Photo by: PR Office of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received an official state visit of Pope Francis Wednesday morning (09/04) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. His Holiness Pope Francis arrived at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta at around 09.30 Western Indonesian Time (WIB). Pope Francis arrived in an SUV with the license plate number SCV 1 and was seen sitting next to the driver.

On the Pope’s arrival at Merdeka Palace, many people greeted him enthusiastically, including the schoolchildren who wore Indonesian traditional clothes and held flags of both countries. They shouted cheerfully to Pope Francis.

Pope Francis, who arrived in his wheelchair, was greeted warmly by President Jokowi who was waiting on the right side of the Jakarta Presidential Palace. The two leaders shook hands.

After shaking hands, the two leaders then walked into the Merdeka Palace to attend the official welcoming ceremony. The national anthems of both countries were played and accompanied by 17 cannon blasts. The procession continued with an inspection of troops of the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres).

After the welcoming ceremony, a number of Ministers of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, and Minister for Defense Prabowo Subianto took turns shaking hands with Pope Francis, then followed by Archbishop of Jakarta Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo together with Chairman of the Committee for Pope Francis’ Visit to Indonesia Ignasius Jonan along with the ranks of Catholic Clergy.

Thereafter, the two leaders entered the Credential Room of the Merdeka Palace for a group photo session and filled in the guest book. Afterward, President Jokowi and Pope Francis held a veranda talk at the veranda of the Merdeka Palace. On that occasion, the President was accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (KS/ABD) / (ZI/AW)