April 23, 2025 | 10:21 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican. At 09:45 local time, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, as the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, officially announced that Pope Francis had passed away at the age of 88 in his residence.
A year earlier, Pope Francis visited Indonesia for three days, from September 3 to 6, 2024. His visit to Indonesia was part of his apostolic journey. During his time in Indonesia, he visited various places, such as the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, and led a grand mass at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Pope Francis is the third world leader of the Catholic Church to visit Indonesia. Prior to him, Pope Paul VI in the early 1970s and Pope John Paul II in the late 1980s had visited the country earlier.
Pope Paul VI (1970)
Pope Paul VI became the first leader of the Catholic Church to visit Indonesia, specifically on December 3-4, 1970. His arrival was enthusiastically welcomed by the people of Indonesia. Even President Soeharto, who was in office at the time, personally welcomed the Pope at Kemayoran Airport on December 3, 1970.
Upon arrival, Pope Paul VI visited Jakarta Cathedral to pray and meet with priests and nuns from Indonesia.
Subsequently, Pope Paul VI had an official meeting with President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace. During the meeting, he expressed his appreciation for the Indonesian people, whom he regarded as spirited, determined to progress, and upholding spiritual values.
During his visit, Pope Paul VI also led the Eucharistic celebration at Senayan Main Stadium, attended by tens of thousands of Catholic worshipers from various parts of Indonesia, from Sumatra to Papua.
Pope John Paul II (1989)
Pope John Paul II became the second Pope to visit Indonesia, from October 9 to 14, 1989. His visit lasted longer than Pope Paul VI's previous visit.
During his five-day stay in Indonesia, Pope John Paul II visited various cities to meet with Catholic followers, including Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Maumere, Dili, and Medan. In Jakarta, on October 9, 1989, he led a holy mass at Senayan Main Stadium and had a closed meeting with President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace.
Pope John Paul II holding Mother Teresa's hand after visiting Casa del Cuore Puro, a home for the poor and dying patients, in Calcutta, India, February 3, 1986. REUTERS/Luciano Mellace
During his visit, the Holy Father expressed his admiration for Pancasila and emphasized the importance of every nation having a life perspective. This idea about the state philosophy became the main message that he continued to convey during his journey to various cities in Indonesia.
On October 10, 1989, the Pope also visited Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) and met with monks and nuns at Jakarta Cathedral. On the same day, he continued his journey to Yogyakarta and was warmly welcomed by Catholic followers at Dirgantara Field.
After continuing his visit to Maumere, Dili, and Medan, Pope John Paul II concluded his visit and left Indonesia on October 14, 1989. During this brief visit, he delivered a message to the Catholic community in Indonesia to strengthen their faith in Christ, spread love, and maintain peace.
In addition, the presence of Pope John Paul II brought spirit and joy, especially to children and young people, to continue living their faith and believing in Jesus Christ as their savior.
Haura Hamidah, Raden Putri Alpadillah Ginanjar, Dewi Rina Cahyani, and Melynda Dwi Puspita contributed to the writing of this article.
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