Jakarta – Around 87,000 Catholics packed the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) in Central Jakarta to attend a grand mass with the Supreme Leader of the World Catholic Church, Pope Francis, this afternoon (Thursday, 5/9). Before the Grand Mass began, Pope Francis first toured the GBK Main Stadium in a white, open-topped Maung Pindad car.
The people were very enthusiastic in welcoming the Pope’s arrival, those in the stands cheered. While those on the access road immediately gathered in front of the barrier barricade while waving their hands.
The event began when the Pope rose from his chair and began the mass by saying the sign of the cross in Latin, “In Nomine Patris Et Filii Et Spiritus Sancti,” followed by the words “Amen” from the congregation. The Pope then said “Pax Vobis” (Peace Be With You). Then, the Pope led the opening prayer and invited the congregation to begin their confession of repentance.
When leading the Grand Mass in front of tens of thousands of people, the Pope used Indonesian when saying one of the prayers, namely the Catholic declaration of repentance, “I Confess”.
A number of figures who attended the Grand Mass included Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Bisar Panjaitan and several figures who were officials in the previous government, namely Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Mari Elka Pangestu, and Thomas Trikasih Lembong.
A Catholic named Maria Magdalena Dinda Galuh Pratiwi was happy when she was chosen to attend the Grand Mass at GBK with Pope Francis. Galuh hopes she will be more blessed and more steadfast in her Catholic faith.
“I was very, very happy and very blessed, because I didn’t expect that two days before the event, I would be called by the church people to replace those who had canceled,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Catholic congregation member from Palasari Village, Jembrana Bali, Aloysia Hardani also expressed her joy, because this Grand Mass was a religious experience and the most memorable in her life and she was able to meet Pope Francis face to face.
“It was amazing for me to be able to meet and receive the blessing from the Pope. This was my first experience meeting the Pope with my family,” said Aloysia
Another Catholic who is also from Bali, Rika Ambarawati expressed her enthusiasm to attend the grand mass with Pope Francis at GBK. Rika even hopes to shake hands with the world’s Catholic religious leader.
“We are very enthusiastic because (Pope Francis) last visited Indonesia in 1989. So, maybe it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m going with my nephew, husband, brother, and cousin,” concluded Rika.
