Pope Francis Sends Telegram Messages to 11 Countries Ahead of Indonesia Visit

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Francis sent Telegram messages to eleven world leaders ahead of his Apostolic Visit to Indonesia on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The eleven countries are those whose airspace was crossed by Pope Francis' entourage.

The eleven countries include Italy, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Malaysia. Pope Francis flew from Rome to Indonesia on September 2-3, 2024, boarding Italian Airways.

All messages to the world leaders included notification that Francis and his entourage would pass through their countries' airspace. Francis announced that he and his entourage from the Vatican would undertake an apostolic journey to Indonesia.

"Assuring you of my prayers for the wellbeing of the nation, I invoke upon all of you the divine blessings of unity and peace,” Francis said in his Telegram message distributed by the Vatican Press Office, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

Pope Francis will visit Indonesia for four days. Arriving at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Tuesday afternoon, the Bishop of Rome was greeted by state officials.

Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with President Jokowi at the State Palace the day after he arrives in Indonesia. In addition, Francis will have an interfaith meeting at Istiqlal Mosque, meet with the sick and marginalized groups at the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia, and lead a holy mass for Catholics at GBK Stadium.

Pope Francis will leave Indonesia on September 6, 2024. He will continue his journey to Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA

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