Jakarta – Pope Francis left Indonesia on Friday (6/9/2024) morning. The leader of the world Catholic Church will continue his apostolic visit to Papua New Guinea, as one of the destinations of the Asia-Pacific tour.
The Vatican Head of State was released with a farewell ceremony at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten and will depart for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on a Garuda Indonesia commercial aircraft.
The Pope’s departure was accompanied by the Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the Vatican Ambassador to Indonesia, Piero Pioppo, and the Advisory Council of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gandi Sulistiyanto.
In addition, the Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, the Chairman of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), Antonius Subianto Bunyamin, and the Chairman of the Committee for Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Indonesia, Ignatius Jonan also saw off the Pope.
In Papua New Guinea, the Pope will meet with interfaith figures, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, and attend a holy mass at Port Moresby’s Sir John Guise Stadium.
During his series of visits to Indonesia, Pope Francis expressed his deep gratitude.
The supreme leader of the world’s Catholic Church expressed his appreciation to all parties who had welcomed him with great warmth.
“I thank the religious men and women, all the volunteers who, with great affection, pray for us, the elderly and the sick who suffer,” Pope Francis said.
He felt grateful to be able to visit Indonesia and meet many loving people.
“I express my gratitude for what is due to me while renewing my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, civil servants and security forces,” he said.
Before leaving for Papua New Guinea, the Pope also gave his appreciation to the entire Indonesian nation. He prayed that Indonesia would be blessed.
“Dear brothers, may God bless you all and make you grow and persevere in peace and brotherly love,” he said.
