Swedish Consulate – Residents flocked to the vicinity of Istiqlal Mosque in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, to witness the arrival of Pope Francis, the Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church and Head of the Vatican State, on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Starting at 7:50 AM local time, people began arriving in the area dressed neatly and holding their smartphones to capture the moment before Pope Francis entered Istiqlal Mosque.
Meanwhile, the area around Jalan Katedral in Sawah Besar was tightly secure by a joint force of police and military personnel.
Residents were also advise not to block the streets or crowd in front of the Al-Fattah entrance of Istiqlal Mosque to ensure a smooth passage for Pope Francis and his entourage, as well as invited guests. This information was reported by Antara.
One of the attendees at Istiqlal Mosque, Hariyadi, a 66-year-old from Solo, expressed his dedication to attending the event. He and his family traveled from Solo to Jakarta specifically to see Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia.
Hariyadi, dressed in a white koko shirt and a black hat, revealed that he and his family departed Solo by train at 6:55 PM on September 4, 2024, and arrived in Jakarta in the early hours of 3:00 AM. He mentioned that they had been at Istiqlal Mosque since 7:00 AM.
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Feelings of Joy and Pride
Hariyadi expressed feelings of joy and pride as he witnessed the arrival of Pope Francis, even from a distance.
He highlighted the evident spirit of tolerance displayed by the proximity of Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church, located across from each other.
“The harmony between Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church showcases how tolerance can be embodied by leaders. We hope this is reflect in the people as well. We are please to see that despite our differences, Indonesia can host such a significant guest,” Hariyadi commented.
Hariyadi and his family are also planning to attend the Holy Mass led by Pope Francis at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta at 5:00 PM.
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