3-9-2024 (JAKARTA) Dozens of enthusiastic Indonesians waved excitedly on Tuesday as a motorcade carrying Pope Francis made its way through the bustling capital, marking the commencement of the pontiff’s ambitious Asia-Pacific tour – a journey expected to amplify calls for global action on climate change and represent his longest trip to date.
The 87-year-old spiritual leader, who will also visit East Timor, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea over the next ten days, cut a poignant figure as he was lowered from a chartered aircraft at Jakarta’s airport, seated in a wheelchair. The touching scene unfolded as two children, clad in traditional garb, presented the pope with a bouquet of locally grown produce, before Indonesia’s religious affairs minister, its Vatican envoy, and several bishops greeted him on a red carpet flanked by honour guards.
As Francis waved and smiled from the waiting car, his motorcade set off towards the Vatican embassy, where he is slated to reside during his stay. Small yet enthusiastic crowds lined the streets, waving fervently as the papal procession passed through Jakarta’s bustling streets.
“I’m so happy, I feel so blessed,” exclaimed 52-year-old Enny Rahail, her voice brimming with emotion. Having travelled a staggering 3,000 kilometres from her home in southeast Maluku, Enny stood for two gruelling hours in the midday heat, determined to catch a glimpse of the pope outside the embassy.
“As Indonesians, we are happy because the Catholic leader comes to our country,” she added, her eyes glistening with tears as she described Francis as an “advocate for peace” and recounted the overwhelming emotions she felt upon his arrival.
The ageing pontiff, mindful of the demands of the long journey, was not scheduled to attend any public events on Tuesday, allowing him time to recover from the 13-hour overnight flight from Rome.
However, shortly after arriving at the embassy, Francis held an informal meeting with a group of refugees living in Indonesia, although the Vatican provided few details beyond confirming the presence of individuals from Somalia, Sri Lanka, and members of the persecuted Rohingya minority from Myanmar.
The pontiff’s Asia-Pacific tour, spanning nearly 33,000 kilometres over 12 days, is set to be his longest voyage abroad, with his return to Rome scheduled for the late evening of September 13.
At the start of his flight to Jakarta, Francis spent roughly half an hour individually greeting the accompanying journalists, leaning on a cane as he slowly made his way around the back of the aircraft, engaging in conversation and shaking hands. He offered only a few words about the impending trip, remarking that the coming days would represent his longest journey overseas.
