Indonesia prepared to greet Pope Francis on Monday, unveiling a commemorative papal stamp, a prominent billboard, and a life-sized cutout of the pontiff ahead of his visit to the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. The pope is set to embark on the most extensive and distant journey of his papacy on Monday afternoon, spending three nights of a 12-day trip in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, before continuing to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
Indonesian authorities were busy preparing the traffic-congested metropolis of 11 million for the 87-year-old's arrival on Tuesday, focusing on strengthening inter-faith relations during his high-profile visit. They altered traffic routes at key locations he will visit, including the international airport, Jakarta cathedral, the presidential palace, the national football stadium, and Istiqlal Mosque, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech. A new billboard proclaiming 'Welcome Pope Francis' and featuring the slogan 'Faith, Fraternity, Compassion' was erected in central Jakarta.
Outgoing President Joko Widodo expressed his intention to accompany the pope as much as possible during his visit, stating, "If it is possible, I will accompany him," to reporters. At Jakarta cathedral, the nation's premier Catholic place of worship, parishioners snapped photos with a recently installed life-sized cutout of Francis. Pope-themed signs and religious artwork by schoolchildren were also displayed. Visitors lined up at the site to purchase two new papal stamp designs released by the government to mark the occasion. However, the cathedral was closed to the public later Monday in preparation for his visit.
The cathedral is located opposite Southeast Asia's largest mosque, with the two connected by a newly constructed 'tunnel of friendship'. A security contingent of approximately 4,000 personnel, including snipers, soldiers, police, and his personal security team, will safeguard the pope. Indonesia officially recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. The Jakarta Post newspaper published an editorial on Monday celebrating his 'Papal Message of Hope' and urged "people of all faiths" to "heed his wisdom" on interreligious issues. Francis will be the third pope to visit Indonesia, a nation comprising 17,500 islands, following Paul VI in 1970 and John Paul II in 1989.
