Jakarta – The Supreme Leader of the World Catholic Church, Pope Francis has arrived in Indonesia at 11.16 WIB at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, this afternoon. As soon as he set foot in Indonesia, he admitted that this was his longest flight.
“Thank you for joining me on this journey, I think it is my longest flight so far,” Pope Francis told journalists on board his flight.
Pope Francis departed from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 5:15 p.m. local time on Monday (2/9). Upon his arrival in Jakarta, he was met by a welcoming committee and taken directly to the Vatican embassy.
Arriving at the Vatican Embassy to Indonesia, Pope Francis was greeted by refugees and orphans. The children numbering around five people were accompanied by the Indonesian Sant’Egidio Community.
Two of the children presented paintings of trees, flags of various countries, and shaking hands with the words “Our World” written on them. They hugged Pope Francis’ arm. Francis was seen smiling at the children.
Meanwhile, Francis gave a blessing to the refugees on their foreheads. Vatican Press Bureau Director Matteo Burni said the refugees came from various countries.
Including some Rohingya from Myanmar,” Matteo told reporters accompanying the Vatican’s Holy See entourage.
The orphans Francis met were raised by Dominican nuns, while the refugees and homeless were taken in by the Jesuit Refugee Service, a refugee agency run by the Jesuit order.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who also welcomed the Pope, praised the simplicity shown by the Supreme Leader of the World Catholic Church. According to him, it should be an example for all religious people.
“I think his simplicity is extraordinary. “He is an example of how to be a leader, because he is not only a religious leader, but also a state leader,” said Yaqut.
According to him, the characteristics displayed by the Vatican’s head of state are typical of a leader who prioritizes simplicity.
“With his simplicity he shows, he also chooses a vehicle in a very simple way and this is something that should be emulated,” he said.
