'Viva il Papa!'; Indonesian Catholics Rejoice as Pope Francis Leads Mass in Jakarta

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Francis led the Mass at GBK Stadium this afternoon, Thursday, September 5, 2024. The Pope entered the stadium at around 04:30 p.m. Jakarta Time and circled the stadium in a Maung car manufactured by PT Pindad before the service began. 

Catholics attending the Grand Mass at the stadium stood up from their seats when Pope Francis’ white car arrived. The Vatican Swiss Guard was seen guarding the Pope.

“Viva il Papa! Viva il Papa!” the crowd roared, meaning ‘Long live the Pope.”

Pope Francis then blessed babies and children as well as greeting several people in attendance. Pope Francis’ car slowly headed to the altar, while calls of ‘Viva il Papa’ shifted to ‘Kristus Raja’ or ‘Christ the King.’

The choir sang Ave Maria when Pope Francis reached the alta, a song of praise for the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Francis began the mass at around 04:30 p.m., starting with silentium, or a ritual of silence prior to the Mass service. The cheering crowd quieted down immediately.

"In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti," the Pope said as he opened the service. The phrase means in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

During his sermon, Pope Francis conveyed Catholics’ calling to build a just society. 

Before the service commenced, Pope Francis was greeted by President Joko Widodo, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto, and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

Jokowi greeted the crowd

President Joko Widodo or Jokowi welcomed the Indonesian Catholics’ jubilation for the Holy Mass with Pope Francis. “I wish you a happy Holy Mass, and I hope this will be a blessing for all,” Jokowi said through a screen. 

The former Jakarta Governor welcomed Pope Francis at Madya Stadium this afternoon. He escorted the Pope to lead the Mass at GBL Main Stadium.

Previously, the Archbishop of Jakarta, Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo told Tempo on Thursday that over 85,000 Catholics would attend the Grand Mass. 

Based on Tempo’s observation, nearly all attendees have entered GBK Stadium since 03:00 p.m. They sang praise songs led by the choirs of the Archdiocese of Jakarta, the Diocese of Bandung, and other dioceses.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | DANIEL A. FAJRI

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